Celtic are reportedly trying to keep Kieran Tierney away from joining Arsenal this summer.
In comments reported by the Daily Record, Virgil van Dijk has insisted that Kieran Tierney has the quality to step his game up to play in the Premier League as the Celtic sensation continues to be linked with a move to Arsenal.
The Daily Record reports that the Gunners are mulling over making a third bid for the left-back during the final days of the transfer window. They reportedly saw an offer which added up to £25 million rejected by the Hoops.
Tierney appears to have the potential to be a major success in England’s top flight having been one of the Scottish Premiership’s best players for several years now. Former Bhoys teammate van Dijk has suggested that he can see the Arsenal target thriving if he gets the chance to make the switch.
“It is not an easy step to make and you have to play well to do it. But he has the qualities,” he said, as reported by the Daily Record.
“Kieran made his debut against Dundee when I was at Celtic. I scored a free-kick up there and then he came on and helped us get the win.”
It may not please the Celtic supporters to see van Dijk tip Tierney to be a success if he leaves Parkhead this summer. While Arsenal may not make a decision off the back of the Dutchman’s comments, there are few players better placed to suggest whether a player will do well after swapping Celtic for a move to England or not.
After proving to be a revelation with the Hoops, van Dijk signed for Southampton and went on to become the most expensive defender in the world, with Liverpool paying £75 million for him in December 2017 (via BBC Sport). He is now, of course, a Champions League winner with the Reds.
If Arsenal are going to take any player’s comments on board, it may well be van Dijk.
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