Former Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata has complained he is being treated like he has a 'hyper-contagious disease' by Club Brugge after his exile from the game.

The Belgian stopper was a guest this week for the Champions League clash between his former club Celtic and his current club and even did the half time draw at Parkhead.

He's been completely frozen out at Club Brugge, where he hasn't played a single minute since February earlier this year and has been banished to train with the kids.

And Boyata, who turned 34 this week, has lashed out at his treatment by the club.

He said: "Sometimes I train alone, sometimes with the reserves and regularly I get a program that I have to do at home - away from the training centre. I mainly struggle with the fact that I am isolated from everything and everyone.

"They wanted me to change in a small room where the cleaning crew keeps their stuff. I refused. I pick up my clothes there and just do it in the dressing room.

"And because I'm only allowed to train in the afternoon, I can't eat at the club anymore. That way they want to make sure that I have no contact with my teammates in any way.

"It's like I have a hyper-contagious disease.

"What bothers me most about this approach is that coaches have to stay longer in the afternoon to train with me. The same goes for the cleaners.

"But the way I'm treated is disrespectful to me. They say they respect me, but that doesn't show in the way they treat me. Mentally they try to undermine you. Yet I continue to do everything they ask of me.

"My situation is even worse now than before. I don't have any chance to show myself anymore. Not with the A-team, not with the reserves and even participating in friendly matches is forbidden. This way I can't find a new club.

"I'm not 25 anymore and I won't be the best player in the world anymore, but with match practice in my legs I can still mean a lot to clubs. Hopefully, that chance will come soon."

However, Club Brugge replied to Boyata's complaints in his interview in Belgian media. They stated: "We have been very clear regarding Dedryck's situation in the summer - we want to find a solution together and with a view to finding a new club, we have let him train with the A-team all summer and even play friendly matches.

"When no club came along, we made him an offer of two-thirds of his annual salary to be a free agent.

"Dedryck refused that and has since then combined individual training in all professional conditions and training with the reserves five days a week."