{"id":260269,"date":"2026-08-30T06:16:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-30T06:16:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/30\/the-new-virgil-van-dijk-looks-ready-to-head-to-celtic-before-the-deadline\/"},"modified":"2026-08-30T06:16:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-30T06:16:16","slug":"the-new-virgil-van-dijk-looks-ready-to-head-to-celtic-before-the-deadline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/30\/the-new-virgil-van-dijk-looks-ready-to-head-to-celtic-before-the-deadline\/","title":{"rendered":"The new Virgil van Dijk looks ready to head to Celtic before the deadline"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Even with Scottish champions Celtic<\/a> having returned to Premiership<\/a> action on Saturday afternoon, the midweek Champions League exit still hangs over proceedings at Parkhead.<\/p>\n

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The manner of the collapse was almost unforgivable, with such a setback potentially set to have major repercussions for the club’s end-of-window transfer dealings.<\/p>\n

Should the outcome of one game really determine the fate of the club’s business, however? Equally too, has such a result not exposed just how much work is still to be done ahead of next week’s deadline?<\/p>\n

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\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Leonhard Foeger<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

That might be the saving grace of it all, with the trip to Austria offering the wake-up call that was needed for Martin O’Neill<\/a> and co, not least in relation to the centre-back ranks.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Why Celtic would be making a mistake with current centre-back options<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

Patience is needed with Cameron Carter-Vickers, considering his lengthy lay-off last term, yet the meeting with LASK might have a few alarm bells ringing in Glasgow.<\/p>\n

In the first leg, the United States international was caught cold in those frantic early exchanges, only seeing his blushes spared by the offside flag.<\/p>\n

The manner in which the visitors got in behind the 28-year-old was a concern, as too was the sight of Carter-Vickers limping off on Tuesday night, with Celtic appearing to wilt physically while their hosts cranked up the gears.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Carter-Vickers vs LASK<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

\n

1st Leg<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Stat<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

2nd Leg<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

90<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Minutes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

90<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

91<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Touches<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

54<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

94%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Pass accuracy<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

97%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Ball lost<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

0\/0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Succ. dribbles<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0\/1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

0\/0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Ground duels won<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3\/4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

5\/7<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Aerial duels won<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3\/4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

0\/0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Tackles<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1\/1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Interceptions<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Dribbled past<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

O’Neill did make do with an unconventional partnership of Trusty and Liam Scales for much of 2025\/26, although the two left-footers have their shortcomings. As things stand too, Scales is currently the understudy to Kieran Tierney at left-back.<\/p>\n

The only other ‘senior’ alternative is Dane Murray, the 23-year-old perhaps best remembered for his Hearts horror-show back in October, alongside his tough first-half outing at Ibrox in March.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Liam-Scales-Dane-Murray-Celtic\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

With Carter-Vickers proving somewhat unreliable fitness-wise, having Murray as the leading option in reserve at right centre-back appears too much of a risk as the Hoops look to compete across multiple fronts.<\/p>\n

Of course, Carter-Vickers is the “best defender in Scotland” on his day, in the view of Ange Postecoglou, and arguably the club’s best centre-back since Virgil van Dijk.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n How Celtic can bring the next Van Dijk to Parkhead<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

When Celtic snapped up a 21-year-old Van Dijk from Groningen back in 2013, the immediate consensus among Neil Lennon and co was that the Dutchman wouldn’t be sticking around for long. How right they were.<\/p>\n

\n
\n \"Celtic-Virgil-van-Dijk\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200bThe 6 foot 4 centre-back was simply just a level above right from the off, with it having been men against boys at times, as he proved such a powerhouse in both boxes.<\/p>\n

While operating in a different role, perhaps Joel van den Berg can enjoy a similar rise in Glasgow, the attacking midfielder believed to be a leading target for the club.<\/p>\n