Deila reiterates he wants Van Dijk to stay

After the disappointment in midweek against Malmo, the rumours that centre-back Virgil Van Dijk would leave for a Premier League club have only intensified.

Manager Ronny Deila has insisted that he wants Van Dijk to stay at Celtic and help them get out of their enticing Europa League group.

As per Sky Sports, who reported live from today’s press conference, Deila said:

The situation is the same. We want him to stay. We don’t need to sell him.

We do know Virgil (Van Dijk) has ambitions and there is interest for him but so far nothing is agreed and he is a Celtic player.

Deila was asked why Van Dijk didn’t train today, but he was quick to reply and take any doubt away about him being ready to go for the game against St Johnstone.

He just wanted to recover ahead of the game tomorrow.

Some big teams there and there’s going to be a lot of exciting games both home and away.

Earlier today Celtic were drawn into Group A and will face tough away trips to Ajax, Fenerbahce and Molde. Trips to Amsterdam and Istanbul will be hostile and vibrant for Celtic fans, whilst the bitter cold winter of Norway could provide a different challenge for the Hoops, even if they are familiar to the cold weather in Scotland.