Celtic defender Leo Hjelde appears to have ruled out a summer move to Southampton, telling Youth Football Scotland he plans to stay and force his way into first-team plans at Parkhead.
Celtic supporters can sleep a tad more soundly tonight.
Because it seems Hjelde won’t be following in the footsteps of Stuart Armstrong, Victor Wanyama and the man he has been so frequently compared to – Dutch colossus Virgil van Dijk.
Well, not this year anyway.
Earlier this month, The Scottish Sun reported Southampton had returned to a familiar hunting ground in an attempt to snap up Hjelde, a rangy, ball-playing centre-half who came close to joining Leeds United before embarking on a loan spell at Ross County.
But the Scandinavian starlet remains fully committed to following fellow Norwegian Kristoffer Ajer into the first-team picture at Celtic.
“I need to create my own pathways. I look up to Kris as an inspiration but in the end I have to make my own pathway,” says Hjelde, who has made eight appearances for Ross County.
“The first team at Celtic is world class. They play Europa League and should be playing Champions League because of the size of the club.
“Next year I want to contribute to the team, if it’s possible.
Hjelde is understandably flattered by those Van Dijk comparisons and, while he has a long way to go to match arguably the world’s best centre-back, it’s easy to understand why such similarities have been drawn.
With his giant frame and impressive passing range, Hjelde certainly reminds you of the one-time Celtic talisman.
“It’s a good feeling,” the youngster adds.
“I think that’s a big stretch but, obviously if (Ross County manager John Hughes) sees something in me that makes him say that, it’s unbelievable and a really nice thing.”
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