Virgil van Dijk

I'd be raging if we don't find similar quality. I've not said we won't, what I'm saying is we won't find a ready made replacement going in and replacing him.

 

Doesn't matter about other clubs, it's how we handle it. We've handled it well, we've not went for direct replacements, not tried to find players who woukd slot into their role no issue. Well, under Lenny anyway we did.

That's the best way to do it, we lost Ledley and signed a player who can play his position in a completely different way in Stefan Johansen (even though he's ended up an attacking midfielder), we never tried to replace the positioning, cover and footballing brain of Ledley. We got a skillfull, good passing work horse instead. Changed our style to suit that.

With Wanyama we had a monster, someone who wouldn't let anyone by him, who could destroy midfields and used his power going forward. We replaced that with someone who would control midfields, pick the ball up and play it to his own tune in Bitton.

It's not comparitive replacements, we change it. There's no point chasing an elusive replacement that just won't happen. We just need to sign what we think could be quality and change our game so that it suits the new style of players.

 

We'll bring in a replacement decided upon by both Deila and Lawwell, like we always do.

It's served us not too badly to this point, has it?

 

Exactly, albeit with a bit of wastage along the way. But that's the nature of the transfer market.

Yep, good post. I don't think we'll get a defender that I enjoy watching as much as Van Dijk. But we have a good record at finding class players for defensive roles. Hopefully we can do it again.

 

Hopefully it serves us better in the future. We're new at this buy low, develop, sell high game. I'm hoping we don't sell the full spine of a team next time and do it gradually. Anything else sets us back.

First things first we need in the CL though.

 

Anyone know sell on percentage Groinigen will get? I imagine it would be around 15% but not seen anything about it.
Got a feeling he will stay if we get past Malmo, am sure Ronny will say to him would he rather go to Southampton or Everton or stay here for another season or even until January do well in the CL then have a better chance of one of the big 4 coming in for him.

 

im sure its 20 percent

 

That's quite chunk, so if he goes for £10M for example we will probably have maybe 5M of that to spend at max after agent fees and the shareholders cut as well.

 

He's on the way to a true Celtic legend. If he stays.

 

Wouldn't go that far. People band that word about to easily these days.

 

He already is a legend.

In 50 year i'll probably still be talking about him to my grandweans as the best centre-back we've had since i've been alive lol

 

Nah, not for me. Love Big Virgil and I do agree he's arguably the best CB since I've been watching Celtic, but no way am I putting him in the Legend bracket along side your Larsson's, Jinky's, McNeils. Not a chance!

For me you have to achieve more than a couple of league and cup medels to become a true Celtic Legend. He hasn't even done that well in Europe ffs

Do you consider Wanyama to be a Legend as well?

 

Aye, they are among the best players we'll ever see who we will talk about and remember for decades to come. Thats basically what a legend is.

 

Being good doesn't make you a legend

 

It helps a lot.:icon_mrgreen:

 

Paddy McCourt?

 

Well, I didn't say, that he is already a legend. But on the way. From my point of view a player just can become a true legend, if he plays for the same club a certain time, 5 years at least. Virgil plays for Celtic since 2013. Maybe he is a legend 2018 if he stays till then.

 

Not a * chance!

A shade over two years at the club and people are thinking he's a club legend? Simmer down.

A class player? Yeah. One of the best defenders we've had in a while? Yeah.

Not a club legend though. The criteria for that kind of label consists of more than being a good player in my opinion.

 

Van Dijk has achieved the bare minimum that was required of him. He's an exceptionally good footballer, playing in Scotland makes that easier for people to see.

No way is he a Legend though

 

How is he no though? is he one of Celtics best ever defenders who will be spoken about in decades to come.... aye