Soccer

'He is a Rolls-Royce': Scott Brown full of praise for former team-mate Virgil Van Dijk


‘He is a Rolls-Royce… what we’re seeing from him is no surprise’: Celtic captain Scott Brown full of praise for former team-mate Virgil Van Dijk and was surprised he ONLY went to Southampton after leaving Scotland

  • Scott Brown played with Virgil Van Dijk for two years at Celtic from 2013-2015
  • Van Dijk then moved to Southampton before transferring to Liverpool for £75m
  • The Dutch defender has been outstanding since his arrival on Merseyside
  • Brown believes Van Dijk would be a class act no matter what position he plays 

Celtic skipper admits he is not surprised by Virgil Van Dijk’s emergence as the ‘best defender in the world’ at Liverpool, saying the Reds are ‘lucky to have him.’

Van Dijk, who captained the Netherlands to Euro 2020 qualification on Saturday evening, played with Brown during his two-year stay at Celtic Park from 2013-2015. 

Whilst there, Van Dijk won the Scottish Premiership twice & the Scottish League Cup – and Brown reiterated his surprise that a bigger team than Southampton didn’t come in for the Dutchman’s signature. 

Virgil Van Dijk has not looked back since moving to Liverpool from Southampton in 2018

Virgil Van Dijk has not looked back since moving to Liverpool from Southampton in 2018

Scott Brown, the Celtic captain, played with Van Dijk for two seasons from 2013-2015

Scott Brown, the Celtic captain, played with Van Dijk for two seasons from 2013-2015

‘Virgil van Dijk is a Rolls-Royce,’ said Brown. 

‘He cruised it in the SPL and he’s cruising it in the Premier League – he has now shown that he is the best defender in the world. 

‘What we’re seeing from him these days is no surprise to me. The only surprise was that, when he left Celtic, only Southampton came in for him.’ 

Van Dijk with manager Neil Lennon after Celtic won the Scottish Premiership in 2014

Van Dijk with manager Neil Lennon after Celtic won the Scottish Premiership in 2014 

Since arriving at Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018, Van Dijk has appeared in two Champions League finals, winning one, and was a cornerstone in Liverpool’s fierce title challenge last season to Manchester City  

As well as his impressive physical attributes, Brown believes it is the confidence Van Dijk instills in other players that make him a unique player. 

‘He makes good players ­believe they can be great players as well, and what he has done at Liverpool too is steady the ship.

The Dutch defender moved to Scotland from Eredivisie club Groningen in 2011 for just £2.6m

The Dutch defender moved to Scotland from Eredivisie club Groningen in 2011 for just £2.6m

‘He has made that team a hard team to beat and that is due to his work-rate. It’s the drive in him, more than anything – you look at him and feel confident.

‘One person in the Premier League has beaten him in a one-on-one in 75-odd games. So it’s that confidence and belief that he puts in you that oozes through the team.’

Brown even went so far to say that the 28-year-old – who is widely regarded as the best defender in the world currently – would thrive in any position on the pitch. 

‘He could have been a No.10, a No.6… But as a centre-half he is so good.

Van Dijk celebrates after Holland secured qualification for Euro 2020 in Northern Ireland

Van Dijk celebrates after Holland secured qualification for Euro 2020 in Northern Ireland

‘He comes forward with the ball and you know he’s not going to lose it, he’s so strong he’s going to cruise through. 

‘Then he’d hit free-kicks and score for us. So he has everything – he’s great in the air, he’s strong, ­physical and he’s quick.

‘It’s everything everyone wants as a defender and Liverpool are lucky enough to have him.’



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