Virgil van Dijk

VIRGIL VAN DIJK returns to Aberdeen full of good memories.

One stand-out is the day he scored the 90th-minute winner at Pittodrie in 2014, to shatter the Dons and spark the first sight of the Ronny Deila Roar.

In the Hoops with him that day were Charlie Mulgrew, Scott Brown, James Forrest and Callum McGregor.

Back then they were team-mates, but tonight they will be international foes.

Southampton’s £50million-rated stopper relished his time at Parkhead before heading to Saints, earning Celts a club record £13m fee.

Van Dijk, 26, said: “It is nice to be back in Scotland again.

“I had some great times here with Celtic. I have also scored some big goals for Celtic up at Pittodrie.

“So it is also good to come back to Aberdeen, especially with the Dutch national team.

“It will be good to play against Scotland and see some of my old Celtic team-mates, like Scott Brown and the boys.

“I haven’t had much contact of late with Scott, but it will be good to see him again.

“Celtic have been unbelievable over the last two seasons.

“They have done superbly, and I always look out for their results.

“When you play for Celtic your love for the club never goes away.

“They have made great strides under Brendan Rodgers.

“Celtic made history last week with the unbeaten run, and that was great to see.

“It shows how strong they are, and hopefully they can keep going.

“They have had some good games in the Champions League against some top teams.

“It is hard for them in Europe, but it is great to see them back in the Champions League.

“The club and the fans all deserve to be at that stage.”

Van Dijk remains close friends with Nir Bitton, the Hoops midfielder converted into a centre-half by boss Brendan Rodgers.

Bitton likes to try and play the ball from the back just like his Dutch pal, and recently joked he’s now the £50m man.

Van Dijk has passed on good advice to the Israeli about playing the role, and it’s been clear in recent weeks just how well Bitton’s listened to him.

Against Bayern Munich last week, he was one of Celtic’s best players, and it’s obvious he’s fast growing in confidence playing at the back.

It’s also been impressive that Bitton’s shone in a strange position, despite having multiple partners at the heart of the Hoops defence.

Holland stopper Van Dijk’s delighted for his friend, and revealed they have got holiday plans for next summer.

Van Dijk added: “I told Nir it is not that easy to play at centre-half, but he is a good player.

“I speak to him a lot and we are probably going on holiday together as well.

“He is a good friend of mine, and it is good to see him playing so well.

“Hopefully, he can keep doing what he is doing because he is a top player.”

Van Dijk insists he and his Dutch team-mates aren’t exactly in Aberdeen to take things easy.

Another failure to reach a major finals has piled the pressure on Holland stars from fans more used to their national team pushing to WIN competitions.

Holland, despite still possessing big names such as Wesley Sneijder, look a team on a downward spiral.

But Van Dijk’s promised they are here to sort out the Scots.

Van Dijk said: “We have a good strong squad here. We know we face a good Scotland team, but we are here to win.”

 

Not exactly as most of the goals in that Europa League campaign came from either Gordon being himself or Denayer and Van Dijk getting caught out of position. Thing that made Van Dijk special was his composure and attacking play for a CB, his defending was average in Europe (even with Ambrose next to him). Think people forget that 4-1 game against Legia Warszawa, that could have easily been more if Forster didn't make the penalty save. Still a class player but we have a proper defender in Simunovic when fit, I think we miss Fraser Foster a lot more Europe wise.

 

Simunovic isn't anywhere near as good as Van Dijk.

 

That was 3 years ago so I'm sure his positioning has improved. He was only 22/23 playing alongside a guy in his first professional season. I'm sure he'd have done better with an experienced player to guide him. Just look at the impact big Maj had despite being fairly average.

 

Would have been a * of a partnership for me though

 

Forster
Denayer Simunovic Van Dijk Tierney
Brown Wanyama
Roberts Rogic Sinclair
Dembele
​

That team wouldn't be capable of losing a game in Scotland playing Rodgers style football.

 

Wouldn't need Wanyama with the Broony of today domestically..

 

Wanyama was scoring 10 a season for us, imagine him more freed up to attack....

 

Still don't see the need domestically when we've got Broony sitting and chipping in with 1 or 2 his self

 

Liverpool deal back on
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/spor...southampton-admit-13913978?service=responsive

 

Hopefully the money made for tgevsell on goes entirely towards finding a top quality CB

 

So depending on what you read it’s either straight 10% or 15% sell on or 10% or 15% of profit, in other words papers are guessing like normal! If I know Lawwell it will be straight %age! * could sell sand in desert and still make a profit!

 

Imagine if we had Rodgers when van lesbian was here no way he would have been sold for 13 million.

 

Van Lesbian? Jesus that is chronic patter jungo.

 

Aye, bring back Lee Naylor

 

Of course he isn't, but defending wise I wouldn't say Van Dijk is amazingly better than Simunovic- which is the most important part of being a centre back. Even in Europe with Southampton the other year there he looked shaky, cost them the goal against Sparta Prague. In the premier league he doesn't get exposed as much because teams play too defence. Fantastic player, but we don't nearly miss him as much as Forster (who is having a bad season in England) sign him up!

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/thisisanfield/status/931520408452550657/video/1

 

Hurry and sign him ya *

 

Lesbenon

 

Sooner the better.