SM
Watford vs. Oxford Utd: 9 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
RB
Europa League | Group Stage
Sep 18, 2014 at 6pm UK
 
CL

2-2

Alan (36'), Soriano (78')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Mubarak (14'), Brown (60')

Chris Sutton: 'Europa League a platform for Virgil van Dijk'

:Headline: Chris Sutton: 'Europa League a platform for Virgil van Dijk': ID:177272: from db_amp
Virgil van Dijk's performances in the Europa League could be key to him securing a move away from Celtic, the club's former striker Chris Sutton tells Sports Mole.

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton believes that any interested parties will keep a close eye on Virgil van Dijk's performances in the Europa League this season.

The 23-year-old was linked with a host of clubs throughout the summer, including Sevilla, Southampton and Sunderland, but a move never materialised and he will now remain at Parkhead until at least the winter.

Tomorrow night, the Dutchman will be charged with the task of nullifying the threat posed by 11-goal Red Bull Salzburg striker Jonathan Soriano as Celtic get their European campaign underway in Austria.

It is games such as that one that Sutton, who was speaking to promote BT Sport's live coverage of the encounter, has told Sports Mole will go a long way to determining if the centre-back is able to secure a switch away from his former club.

"He isn't going anywhere until January at the earliest and I'm glad that Celtic set their stool out and made their intention known to keep him during the summer. It's natural that a young player wants to play at the highest possible level and Van Dijk seems to have suggested that he does. Having said that, he owes Celtic a lot because they've given him the chance," said the 41-year-old.

"It's important that he really imposes himself on the game. He still has a lot to learn, but he has all the attributes. He is comfortable on the ball and likes to come forward, but there are times when he seems to have that Dutch arrogance and it appears that he finds the Scottish league too easy. He switched off for the goal against Aberdeen [at the weekend] and the Europa League is where he is really going to be tested.

"If he wants to be a Dutch international, which I'm sure he does, he will need to perform in the Europa League because there is little doubt that he will be tested. If potential buyers are looking at him, these are the games that they will watch him in."

Van Dijk joined the Scottish champions from Groningen for a reported £2.6m in June 2013.

BT Sport has live coverage of UEFA Europa League games throughout the group stages and beyond, including Salzburg vs. Celtic this Thursday on BT Sport 1 (not in Republic of Ireland). Visit www.btsport.com to find out more.

amp_article__177272 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2014-09-17 15:52:33:
html db last update - 2014-09-17 15:52:33 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Virgil van Dijk

Click here for more stories about Celtic

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic109102932628
2Aberdeen109102091128
3RangersRangers10613158719
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd114431513216
5Motherwell105141313016
6Dundee113351720-312
7St Mirren123361521-612
8Kilmarnock113351523-812
9Ross County122641018-812
10St Johnstone123181525-1010
11Hearts122371419-59
12Hibernian111551016-68
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .