Celtic knew they had a big-time player on their hands when Virgil van Dijk was putting in top quality performances for the Bhoys week in, week out for the two years he spent at the club.

The club conceded that the Dutchman had outgrown the club and allowed him to join Southampton during the 2015 summer transfer window for a massive £13.35m fee – the highest fee ever received by a Scottish club, which in itself was an indication of the calibre of player he was.

Over the last two seasons, van Dijk has developed into one of the Premier League’s top centre-backs and at just 25, he has his best years ahead of him.

Southampton are ready to fend off bids in excess of £60m to keep hold of the former Groningen standout but should the time come that they receive an offer they cannot refuse, much like Celtic did, then the Bhoys are set to receive a major financial windfall.

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According to the Scotsman, Celtic shrewdly negotiated a sell-on clause into the deal which saw van Dijk leave for Southampton which could see them pocket as much as £5m.

With the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal all willing to spend serious money on the defender, that fee could even be higher than the one reported which would go a long way to helping Celtic and Brendan Rodgers supplement the squad ahead of next season.

It would appear that van Dijk really is the gift that keeps on giving.