Steven Pressley has drawn parallels between Celtic’s Benjamin Arthur and Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk, with the defender potentially set to face his old mentor in tomorrow’s Scottish Cup tie…
The 20-year-old centre-back – regarded as a promising prospect – has signed a short-term loan deal with Martin O’Neill’s side to bolster their defensive options alongside Auston Trusty and Liam Scales.
Before taking charge at Dundee, Pressley served as Brentford’s Head of Individual Development, during which time he supported Arthur after the player’s transfer from Peterborough.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s game at Celtic Park, Pressley said via Glasgow Times: “Benjy Arthur is a player I worked really closely with in my time at Brentford. I really like him and rate him as a player.
“I don’t want to put much pressure on him, but he does remind me of a young Virgil van Dijk. He is a huge unit but also very mobile. He is right-sided. Benjy is very calm and clean in his defending. He is very assured, quick, strong, and powerful. He has got so many good attributes that all the top modern-day defenders require.
Pressley added: “I spoke to Shaun Maloney about him the other day, and I told him how highly I rated him, and he is a player with huge potential. They, in my opinion, have made a good acquisition. Of course, it is his first loan. This will be a new experience for the player, but he is a player who has huge potential.
“There was a lot of interest in Benjy. I know there were several English Championship clubs who were keen on him, and also Celtic came in, so he had a lot of options. I am confident he can do well at Celtic, given the opportunity.
“Brentford thought this would be a terrific loan for him because one of the biggest challenges is, can you handle the pressures of playing for Celtic or (the)Rangers.
“I think if you can handle that, then you will be able to handle most clubs. In terms of being able to grow and be tested, then this will be a good step for him.”
Conor Spence
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