Neil Lennon has revealed that he told Virgil van Dijk after his first day at Celtic that he wouldn’t be at the club for long.
The 25-year-old, who moved to English Premier League side Southampton in 2015, is one of the most sought after defenders in the world.
Centre-back Van Dijk spent two seasons at Parkhead after Lennon and his team had purchased the Dutchman for £1.9million from FC Groningen in 2013.
He eventually made a big-money switch to St. Mary’s where he has caught the eye of Europe’s elite with his magnificent performances from the back.
Hibernian manager Lennon thinks that his former player can play for any club side in the world as he hailed his “outstanding” abilities.
“The first day he came into Celtic I pulled him up after training and I said ‘look you enjoy yourself here because you are not going to be here long’,” Lennon told Sky Sports.
“I couldn’t believe we had got him for 2.2million euros (£1.9m). He’s outstanding. I think he can play at any club side in the world.”
Van Dijk’s ability to contend with any centre-forward in the world added with his ability to bring the ball out from the back has seen his stock rise in recent seasons.
During his time at Celtic, Van Dijk played 115 games in all competitions for the Glasgow club, winning the Scottish Premiership title in the process.
Since moving to England, he has played 68 matches for the Saints, including 30 matches in all competitions this term before an injury in January cut his season short.
Depending on his current injury status, there is no doubt that Europe’s biggest clubs will be looking to snap up the Holland international in the summer.