Neil Lennon has hailed Virgil van Dijk as the best player he has ever seen at Celtic, and admits he still can’t believe the club managed to land the Dutchman for such a modest fee…
Speaking on Open Goal, the former Celtic boss looked back with amazement at the £2.2 million deal that brought a 21-year-old Van Dijk from FC Groningen to Glasgow in 2013. Though relatively unknown at the time, the towering centre-back wasted no time making an impression at Lennoxtown.
“I don’t know how the club did it,” Lennon said. “We got him for like £2.2 million and as soon as he walked in the building, you’re like… ‘he’s phenomenal’. Absolutely phenomenal. Gorgeous as well, big handsome fella. Legs like two tree trunks. Just made well.”
Van Dijk’s Celtic spell was short but memorable. His composure, physical presence, and effortless class made him stand out in the Scottish Premiership, catching the attention of clubs across Europe. Lennon recalls trying to convince top sides that Van Dijk was already ready for the highest level.
“I remember Arsenal ringing me about him. I said: ‘What are you ringing me for? He’s ready now.’ And they were saying, ‘We’re not sure about his defensive skills’, I was fine.”
Despite the doubts from some quarters, Van Dijk’s subsequent rise has vindicated Lennon’s belief. After two seasons in Glasgow, he moved to Southampton before joining Liverpool in 2018 for a then-world-record £75 million fee for a defender. Since then, he has lifted both the Premier League and Champions League, establishing himself as one of the finest centre-backs of his generation.
Now captain at Anfield, Van Dijk recently signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at Liverpool until 2027, a remarkable journey that began in earnest under Lennon’s watch in Scotland. And when he was made captain of Liverpool, Virgil brought a little bit of Celtic into the job by introducing the Celtic huddle prior to games.
Though many greats have worn the green and white, Lennon’s verdict is clear: Van Dijk is the best player he’s ever signed for Celtic.
It’s incredible to think that Celtic signed both Henrik Larsson (our best ever signing) and Virgil van Dijk for under £3m for the pair from Dutch football. Worth remembering when we are on the look-out for players…
