Celtic’s Nir Bitton has turned to Virgil van Dijk for advice on how to play at centre back.
Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk has told the Daily Mail that he has told former Celtic teammate Nir Bitton just how hard it is to play at centre back.
Tonight, the Netherlands travel to Pittodrie to take on Scotland in an international friendly, with both teams potentially tempted to experiment given that neither side will be at next summer’s World Cup.
One player who will be making a special return to Scotland is Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk, who will be expecting to start for the Netherlands this evening.
Van Dijk, 26, spent two years with Celtic following a 2013 move from Groningen, and his impressive displays for the Scottish giants earned him a 2015 switch to Southampton, where he has become one of the top centre backs in Europe.
Van Dijk left a major hole in the Celtic defence, and whilst some feel that he hasn’t truly been replaced, one player is now switching to play at centre back in a bid to aid Brendan Rodgers’ defence.
Midfielder Nir Bitton has featured regularly at centre back this season despite mostly being a holding player, with Rodgers calling on the Israeli international for help after a number of defensive injuries.
Now, Van Dijk has revealed to the Daily Mail that he recently spoke to his former teammate Bitton on the phone, telling him that it’s far from easy to play at centre back, but he is a good player and can make the transition.
Van Dijk added that he and Bitton are still good friends from their time together at Celtic, and may even go on holiday together soon, before labelling him as a ‘top player’.
“I told him it is not that easy, but he is a good player,” said Van Dijk. “I speak to him a lot and we are probably going on holiday together, as well. He is a good friend and it is good to see him playing so well. Hopefully, he can keep doing what he is doing because he is a top player,” he added.
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