Celtic: Virgil van Dijk wants to stay

CELTIC defender Virgil van Dijk has moved to extinguish speculation that he is having his head turned just six months into his stay in Glasgow in the wake of reported interest from Arsenal and Manchester City.

Virgil van Dijk: 'Amazing' first six months at Celtic. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Scouts from the English Premier League’s top two sides were apparently dispatched to watch the Dutchman, whose performances have drawn a growing list of admirers. His outings for Celtic have been at such a high standard that talk of a call-up to the Dutch national side, managed by Louis van Gaal, has grown louder.

But Van Dijk, 22, says that his time in Glasgow has been “amazing”, and though flattered by interest from England, is not encouraging clubs to bid for him.

“I’m flattered that big clubs like those have an interest. I’m enjoying my time at Celtic. The first six months have been amazing. That’s the best word I can use to describe it. Amazing.

“I’ve never played in a team that is unbeaten in the league and on course to break clean sheet records - it’s amazing and I still enjoy everything about Celtic.

“Everything is good in Glasgow, the people are very nice. Maybe even nicer than Dutch people.

“They have been very welcoming to me and my girlfriend. I have never experienced anything bad so I can’t have any complaints.

“When I signed, that first day the fans were so warm to me. I got a good feeling about things here.

“I like the city centre, the people and the fans. I like the social scene with shops and restaurants. I like to go for dinner and people are always nice and respectful to me.”