Celtic youngster Leo Hjelde will be the “next Virgil van Dijk’, Ross County manager John Hughes has told Not The Old Firm after beating Leeds United to the loanee defender’s signature.
No pressure then.
At the age of 17, Hjelde is only just getting started in the professional game, making his senior debut in Ross County’s Scottish Premiership clash with Rangers in January.
But Hughes has seen enough in just three months to suggest, with a great deal of confidence, the Celtic-owned Norwegian has everything required to follow in the footsteps of Liverpool’s £75 million superstar.
“100 per cent, Leo is going to be the next Van Dijk. Trust me on that,” says the Ross County boss, while claiming Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds wanted to snap up the one-time Rosenborg wonderkid.
“He’s got a lot to learn but to come up here, he’s away from home and he’s settled in really well.
“Before he came here it was Leeds United who wanted him and he had to sign a (contract) extension for his loan to go through.”
“He’s going to be a centre-half but can also play left-back. (He’s getting) everything a loan does for a young kid – the physical challenge, playing every week in men’s football and standing up to it.
“I think he’s got a massive future.”
Southampton paid £13 million to sign a fresh-faced Van Dijk from Celtic in summer 2015 and reports from north of the border suggest Hjelde could also be on his way to St Mary’s.
The Saints are tracking the teenage Scandinavian as well as Rangers defender Kyle McClelland (Scottish Sun).
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
