#Delboy Morning hoops Lennon tips Van Dijk to make it into Dutch World Cup plans after finding form for Celtic Neil Lennon has tipped Virgil van Dijk to storm his way into Holland coach Louis van Gaal’s World Cup plans. Van Gaal will travel to Glasgow to watch Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Dutch champions Ajax. And Lennon believes the impressive form of his £2million summer steal from FC Groningen will see the 22-year-old make a rapid leap from Under-21 caps to senior level soon. In September, the Dutch became the first nation to reach next summer’s World Cup finals in Brazil, but Lennon believes the clash with Ajax is the ideal proving ground for the defender. World Cup road: Van Dijk has been on impressive form for Celtic, and Lennon is adamant he can force his way int World Cup road: Van Dijk has been on impressive form for Celtic, and Lennon is adamant he can force his way int ‘I think van Gaal is coming over,’ said the Celtic boss. ‘I don’t want to put any extra pressure on to Virgil but I think it is inevitable, if he keeps going and progressing the way that he is just now, that he will become a Dutch international. On song: Lennon believes the impressive form will see the 22-year-old make a rapid leap from Under-21 level to seniors On song: Lennon believes the impressive form will see the 22-year-old make a rapid leap from Under-21 level to seniors ‘I just think he is a natural, a quality player. You could see it from his first day in training, or in the first game against Cluj in Germany. ‘He makes it look easy. People seem to think he has a laid-back attitude, but his work ethic is very high and he’s a kid who wants to get better. ‘I’d like to think Virgil would get a chance with his country. ‘Holland are a top team but, for me, he’s been exceptional this season. ‘He’s got everything you want in a modern-day centre-half. ‘He’s got a great spring and timing and he’s been pretty dominant for us. ‘He just needs to keep going and keep catching the eye.’ Van Dijk has been the most impressive of Celtic’s summer signings and Lennon praised his scouts for getting in before the big Dutch and English clubs. ‘I was over watching Ajax and they couldn’t believe they had missed a trick with him,’ the Celtic boss said. ‘Even the English clubs as well, because they have a lot of scouts in Holland. ‘So maybe we have stolen a march on someone for a change.’ Lennon was awaiting the safe return of Efe Ambrose from international duty in Nigeria yesterday before selecting a team to face Hibs. Efe is playing very, very well,’ Lennon commented. ‘The idea was to have the three of them, him, Kelvin Wilson and Virgil. ‘Obviously, Kelvin left. We brought Steven Mouyokolo in and we lost him to a really bad injury. ‘Now the two of them have dovetailed very well — but we need to keep an eye on that.’
Posted on: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 04:06:10 +0000
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