Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has credited Celtic for helping him improve as a player during his two years at the club.

The former Bhoy is now rated by many as the best centre-back in the world but when asked about his time in Scotland in a recent interview, the Dutchman was at pains to point out that many observers underestimate how big the club is:

“Celtic are a massive club and people underestimate them sometimes. It’s such a historic club, a great environment to be (a part of). The fans are outstanding, the stadium is amazing and to get Champions League in my first season there was great for my development.”

Van Dijk has been touted to win the Golden Ball in December following a year where he has helped Liverpool lift the Champions League trophy and to an unbeaten start to the Premier League season.

Celtic’s campaign has hit a bump, though, after the Hoops suffered their first league defeat of the season to Livingston. They were made to pay for Ryan Christie‘s sending off in the first half with their opponents bagging two second-half goals from Scott Robinson and Lyndon Dykes. Neil Lennon’s side next game will be against Ross County after the international break.