Van Dijk: Old Firm trumps Champions League nights

Virgil van Dijk competes with Inverness defender Gary Warren. Picture: SNS

The Dutch defender’s reaction to the League Cup semi-final draw against Rangers, which prompted cheers in the Celtic dressing room on Saturday when it was made shortly after their 1-0 Premiership win over Inverness, typified the predictably frenzied hype already surrounding a tie which is still three months away.

Van Dijk has experienced Champions League group stage football with Celtic since joining the club, helping to enhance his reputation and earn him a call into the senior Dutch international squad. But the 23-year-old believes taking part in the resumption of one of world football’s most famous derby fixtures will carry even greater significance.

“I have heard a lot of stories about the game,” said van Dijk. “It is something very special – even more special than the Champions League nights. So it is going to be amazing.

“I’ve heard the whole stadium goes mental. It’s going to be a little bit different with the game at Hampden and the same number of fans for both teams, but it will still be crazy.

“The semi-final is going to be an amazing game. I wasn’t really expecting to play games against Rangers when I signed for Celtic. I knew we could always meet them in a cup, but I didn’t think about it a lot.

“But of course you want to play in that fixture because it is unbelievable, with everything around it.

“Everyone wants to experience this game – and win it, of course, which is the most important thing. We have a lot of games before that one comes around, though, so we need to focus on them first.

“I watched a couple of Old Firm games on television when I was growing up. I wasn’t particularly watching for the Dutch guys who were involved.

“It would be amazing to score a goal in that kind of game. But the most important thing will be to keep a clean sheet, because we always score at the other end.

“Everyone has already told me I’ll never have experienced anything like it before. I’ve watched Ajax-Feyenoord games in Holland, but they are nothing like Celtic-Rangers. It means a lot to everyone here. We will be up for it.”

Celtic striker John Guidetti had claimed before the draw was made that whoever were paired with the Scottish champions would be “going down”. Van Dijk has backed up his team-mate’s bullishness and admits beating Rangers on the way to lifting the League Cup would heighten the sense of satisfaction for Celtic.

“We want to win the League Cup,” added Van Dijk. “What John said was true, it doesn’t matter who we play in the tournament, we need to win. But of course it makes it more special that we play Rangers. Hopefully it is going to be a great day.

“Yeah, it would make it more special if we beat Rangers on the way to winning the League Cup. We want to win the treble this season. If we beat Rangers, we will be in the final of the first trophy we can win. That’s what we want.”

Van Dijk has been consistently linked with a move to the English Premier League, something Celtic resolutely refused to allow during the last transfer window. There is now fresh speculation surrounding an Arsenal bid for him in January which could potentially see him miss out on the Old Firm semi-final.

But having managed to get into the Dutch national squad this season, Van Dijk appears far less restless about his future.

“Playing in big games always helps your international prospects,” he said. “It helps you to grow as a player. It gives you a lot of experience of dealing with pressure. I don’t know if the Dutch FA will scout the Old Firm game, but I’m in the squad now and hopefully I will stay in it by keeping on winning with Celtic.”

Inverness are one of the sides with recent experience of playing both Celtic and Rangers, having now lost 1-0 at Ibrox and Parkhead this season. The Highland club’s winger Danny Williams remained firmly on the fence when asked his view of the Old Firm showdown.

“Both Celtic and Rangers like to play football the right way, with a passing game,” said Williams. “It will be a top game for the supporters. Celtic are in a league of their own at the moment. I’m sure they will go on and win the league again this season.

“I don’t really know if there is a league of difference between Celtic and Rangers, because I’ve only played against Rangers once since I’ve been here. I’ve played Celtic a few times. Celtic are a top team, that’s why they are playing in Europe. We’ll see how it goes, but it will be a good game.”