Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has credited Celtic with Virgil van Dijk’s development.
The football legend believes van Dijk’s time in Scotland made him the best defender in the world.
Although Celtic fans won’t be surprised by what he said, Koeman’s words could get the Hoops’ January deals over the line.
Koeman credits Hoops for making Dutch dynamo
The Netherlands boss was Southampton gaffer when he bought van Dijk for £13 million.
A massive fan of his, Koeman was always going to continue with van Dijk as national boss.
The Daily Record reports what Koeman believes the defender learned at Celtic.
The Dutch boss said: “For me, Virgil became the player he is at Celtic.
“In Scotland he learned about playing under pressure and developed faster than we could have imagined.
“He continued that at Southampton and went up another level.
“Now he is easily the best defender in the world.”
Former manager Neil Lennon bought the centre-back from Dutch side Groningen in 2013.
After two impressive years in Glasgow, the future Netherlands boss purchased van Dijk for Southampton.
This time last year Liverpool took the 27-year-old to Merseyside in a whopping £75 million deal.
Players will listen to legends about Celtic
The Bhoys are in the market for quite a few improvement across the field.
Brendan Rodgers is looking to bring two strikers in this month due to a dry up in attackers.
Reports suggest Celtic are close to bringing PSG youth Timothy Weah to the club but the deal isn’t yet over the line.
The 18-year-old can listen to his Ballon D’Or winning father as well as Koeman to see how the Parkhead side can benefit his career.
Likewise, Celtic are also fighting for the signature of Ivorian striker Vakoun Issouf Bayo. Perhaps Koeman’s words will give the Hoops a head start on competitors.
In the current climate, Celtic need all the help they can get to push deals over the line.
Praise can’t come from much higher than a Barcelona legend so here’s hoping the desired effect has been had.
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