Virgil van Dijk named in Netherlands squad

VIRGIL van Dijk has been named in the Netherlands provisional squad for the Euro 2016 qualifiers against Turkey and Iceland.

Virgil van Dijk in action for Celtic against Malmo. Picture: SNS

The Celtic defender, who has been linked with a host of clubs in England, could team up with Marco van Ginkel and Ibrahim Afellay of Stoke City, who earlier this week joined the race for the ex-Groningen stopper.

However, Mark Hughes has suggested the Potters won’t be making a last-minute bid for van Dijk as they look to bolster their defence in the wake of Ryan Shawcross’s injury.

Van Dijk, 24, has been included in preliminary Netherlands squads in the past, but is yet to make his full debut for the international side.

He played three games for the Netherlands Under-21 side and one match for the Under-19s between 2011 and 2013.

There are also call-ups for Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Manchester United duo Daley Blind - son of Dutch boss Danny - and Memphis Depay.