Celtic boss Neil Lennon oversaw Virgil van Dijk’s move to Celtic back in 2013 – and understandably feels some pride about his rise to stardom.
The Bhoys swooped to land Van Dijk in the summer of 2013, luring him over to Scotland from Groningen in his native Netherlands.
Van Dijk starred in 115 games for Celtic, racking up 15 goals. He lasted just two years at Parkhead before being snapped up by Southampton, where he really became a star.
Two-and-a-half years at Southampton saw him earn his big move to Liverpool, where he has played a key role in becoming European and World champions. The Premier League title will soon follow for Van Dijk, who is now one of the best centre backs in the world.
The 28-year-old is, of course, still well-regarded at Celtic. Now, Lennon – who oversaw Van Dijk’s arrival and has since returned as Celtic boss – has commented on the Dutchman.
Chris Sutton has asked Lennon what he thought of Van Dijk when he completed a £2.6million move to Celtic, and Lennon claims he thought that he was ‘Rio Ferdinand in the making’.
Lennon believed Van Dijk had those world-class attributes even at Celtic, and couldn’t believe that he was at Celtic for two years because he was just so good.
“He was Rio Ferdinand in the making,” said Lennon to the Daily Mail. “He had all of those attributes – he was quick, composed, brilliant in the air in both boxes. Everything you’re seeing now, at Premier League and European level, that’s what I saw. I couldn’t believe there was no English interest. I also couldn’t believe he was at Celtic for two seasons! I thought he might have gone after the first,” he added.
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