The Celtic player reflects on the moment things changed for the Bhoys in their Scottish Premiership campaign.
Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk has been speaking about the match that he feels went a long way to deciding the Scottish Premiership this season.
In an interview with Celtic View, the 23-year-old said it was the clash with Aberdeen in early November that ultimately played a significant part in Ronny Deila’s side being crowned champions.
That was official confirmed when Aberdeen lost 1-0 to Dundee United on Saturday, meaning Celtic could not be caught with three matches remaining.
And now Van Dijk, who has featured an incredible 56 times this season, has been looking back on one of the 10 goals he has managed so far in the campaign.
The scores were level going into injury-time, with Deila’s men holding on for what would have been a hard-earned point, when Van Dijk scored from a 90th-minute corner to give 10-man Celtic all three points.
That came after Scott Brown had been sent off, and Van Dijk clearly sees it as a turning-point.
“That game in November was an important one,” the defender said, “especially after Broony’s red card and we were trying to hold on to get one point.
“It was an important goal at the end and it looks like it was a big goal and three points in the context of the season.”
Celtic ultimately ran out comfortable league winners but who is to say what would have happened if things had gone Aberdeen’s way at the end of last year?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
