Virgil van Dijk

He had our best chance of the match and volleyed right at the keeper in yards and yards of space. He actually caught the ball too sweetly, as opposed to not getting enough on it.

It just wasn't his night last night. The offside goal was further evidence of that. I held him accountable for the first goal at the time, but when I saw the replays, I found myself questioning why Forster wasn't coming out to make that his too. The guy is 6 ft 7 and is too scared it seems to come and collect a high ball.

Overall, I blame our keeper more than I blame Virgil for the goals we lost last night. Van Dijk has been outstanding for us so far this season and was probably one of our best players last night, in comparison to the likes of Forster anyway.

 

Made it up? No, I don't think I did.

First of all, this is a fans forum. This is what we do.

See, this is what people do now, they pick only a small, small sliver, and run with it.

I still think he's a fantastic player ... I just think, perhaps wrongly, but it IS my opinion, nevertheless, that he's read a wee bit too much of his own press lately. I think he has.

Did I say I hope he moves on and improve? Yes. I don't hate the guy. Geez.

 

Get back ... at what?

I've never blasted, never said anything negative of van Dijk ... ever. I think the guy is awesome. Check.

If my initial post sounded rude, or whatever, I apologize.

Wow, I taking flack. NOT everyone here has to think the same, post the same.

I was amazed at how poorly how played last night. This wasn't supposed to happen with the way he was playing. It was pretty shocking ... and a little worrying going forward. One game? Maybe.

 

Your argument is based upon him believing his own hype and playing badly as a result. You made that up.

 

It's my belief that, yes, that's what has happened ...

If I'm wrong, fine.

When did it become wrong to suspect something?

Also, playing badly ... as a result ... is something all together different, isn't it? One can believe their hype, and play well, no?

 

Was dreadful last night. I know its probably not the case but he looked as if he wasn't even trying ffs. He was jogging towards players instead of bursting a gut to get close to them. It was very weird. The less said about that chance, the better

 

My opinion of him hasn't changed one bit.

You are a bit hypercritical I think. I expected better of him, but I've seen worse performances from a Celtic player.

The man is the first name on the team sheet for me.

 

Am I the only one that can't uderstand all the slagging of his performance last night?

I thought he was okay. Ambrose was awful at times but Virgil for the most part was fine. Aye, the sitter was unbelievable but that's besides the point.

 

Thought he was fine. The centre-backs were a bit all-over-the-place, but I don't know if that was Ambrose or Virgil or even the shittiness of our midfield. I'd have to watch the game again to really be sure.

 

:bbpd:

:icon_mrgreen:

 

I heard the commentator today saying he's been getting watched by the Dutch national teams coaches, some player. Would be great for both him and Celtic if he made their World Cup squad.

 

He should be in the Holland team never mind squad. He's probably their best centre-half since Jaap Stam.

 

Wasn't involved a whole lot today, for obvious reasons. Still did his job well though.

Top player.

 

Virgil van Dijk: Premiership matches Dutch league

Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk believes the standard of the Scottish Premiership compares favourably with the Dutch Eredivisie and is confident his current environment will not hamper his international ambitions.

Van Dijk plans to watch the World Cup Finals draw tomorrow, just a few hours before Celtic look to maintain their unbeaten record in the Scottish top flight this season when they face Motherwell at Fir Park.

Despite a bright start to his career with the champions following his £2.6 million summer move from Groningen, the 22-year-old central defender has yet to force his way into Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal’s plans for next summer’s tournament in Brazil.

Ajax youngster Joel Veltman, who faced Celtic in the Champions League group stage this season, was preferred by van Gaal last month as he experimented with his defensive options in the challenge matches against Japan and Colombia.

But van Dijk is content that he is not disadvantaged by playing in Scotland, despite the perceptions of those who may feel he is not being fully extended in domestic competition where Celtic are so dominant.

The 7-0 demolition of Hearts at Tynecastle in the Scottish Cup last Sunday would be regarded as proof of that theory by those who hold it. Van Dijk, however, insists it is no different to football in his homeland where large winning margins, such as the record 10-0 defeat PSV Eindhoven inflicted on Feyenoord three years ago, are not uncommon.

“Big scorelines does not mean the football is bad,” said van Dijk. “Not at all. Everyone from outside of the country talks badly about the competition, but you can look at the Dutch league and say it’s not that good either. The leagues are quite similar.

“The fact I’m playing in Scotland is not a concern for me. I’m a young player, so I still have time on my side. I want to be good in the Champions League and the Scottish Premiership. That’s what I work for.

“It’s difficult to talk about a call-up for my national team, I just have to keep working hard. Every player who is playing in a foreign country hopes the national team coach will keep watching you and we’ll see what happens.

“Fraser Forster playing for England this season definitely inspires me that I can do it. He is a top-class goalkeeper who has been great for Celtic and he deserves it.

“I look at myself and I want to do what he has done. The manager here tells me that I have it within me, but I’ve got to show it. Coming here has made me a better player, but I knew coming here was a good option and it was up to me to show that to people.

“People back home are noticing what I am doing, especially in the Champions League games. They watch them, but now I have to show it every single week with us being out of the Champions League. I have enough motivation already to play well in the second half of the season. I don’t need any extra.

“Before our game on Friday night, I’ll watch the World Cup draw. I’m actually hoping for a very strong group with strong countries because it is always good to see your nation involved in matches against the best teams.”

One Celtic player who will definitely not be in Brazil next summer is Mikael Lustig, the right-back having had his hopes crushed in the play-offs last month when Sweden lost out to Portugal.

* has been one of Celtic’s most effective performers this season and has played an important role in how quickly van Dijk has settled in at the club on and off the pitch.

“Not only is he a good footballer, he’s a good guy,” said van Dijk. “He’s helped me a lot and his wife has been a help to my girlfriend, too. That’s also a good thing. I socialise with him. We talk a lot.

“On the field, Mikael is very, very good. A complete defender. He’s tall and can head the ball, he’s quick and he crosses very well. For Celtic, he’s very important.

“I think he could be one of leaders in the future, especially with the experience that he has to help a young team. He has a strong mentality and I hope he stays here for as long as he wants.

“He scored a great goal against Hearts on Sunday, although I think he was surprised by it. For me, the fourth goal we scored through Joe Ledley was the best team goal, but Mikael put in the assist for that, too.

“It’s been a happy place since the win over Hearts, but we have to switch on for the next game against Motherwell now.

“Was last Sunday the best performance I’ve ever been a part of? Yes, I’d say so. The result and the team performance was something I was happy to be a part of.

“I knew we could play that way as we have a lot of good international players who keep the ball, so I knew it could be done.”

 

Great guy is big Virgil. Loved how he talked in glowing terms of Lustig as well. I want them both here forever. For me Lustig has been our player of the year so far with Van Dijk just behind. Top class players

 

Same

Both seem to be loving it right now and the way he speaks about the league club,players around him and how much he's enjoying but got his head screwed on bodes really well for us in terms of keeping him or a while..

I hope anyway that both are here for a long time,lustig will be here longer than big Virg though..

 

Best CB we have had in a long time. His composure on the ball is brilliant. He looks more composed going forward with the ball than some of our attacking players do.

 

Excellent player. Only eclipsed by Amido Balde as my favorite player.

 

Virgil Van Djik says he is finding it difficult to adapt to life in Glasgow but is committed

The Dutch defender gave an interview to a football magazine in his homeland in which he outlined the challenges of playing and living in the

Glasgow footballing goldfish bowl.

Quotes of note:

• On his meeting with a Rangers fan: “A strange man offered me his hand. He said ‘Virgil, you’re a terrific player but I hate you.”

• On shopping: “Our apartment has a great view but we seldom go outside. We have our shopping delivered. You can’t drink the tap water here, so this way we avoid having to carry the bottles of mineral water up the stairs.”

• On Celtic fans: “Celtic fans are great so long as things are going well. If your performances dip they will let you know. I should not have played against Karagandy as I was not fully fit. It turned out to be a terrible night. I couldn’t sleep and the social media exploded.”

• On his future: “The game in Scotland is very physical. But I have got to play in the Champions League. This is something you can only do when you play for a top club. Glasgow is a world class city. I would like to stay over here for quite a while longer.”

 

I don't understand how you can have a problem with Scottish water.