VIRGIL VAN DIJK would be making a huge mistake if he swapped the opportunity to star with Celtic in the Champions League for a relegation battle in England.
That’s the verdict of Dutch legend Frank de Boer following the central defender telling the Hoops hierarchy to cash in on him now after admitting he was disappointed previous bids for him were knocked back.
Van Dijk, with two years still to run on his contract, fears playing in Scotland will hinder his chances of featuring for Holland at Euro 2016 next summer.
But Ajax boss De de Boer – Holland’s most-capped outfield player with 112 appearances – has warned his fellow-countryman that playing for a struggling Premier side would not boost his international chances.
Sunderland and Newcastle have been linked with the 23-year-old, but De Boer insisted: “To just leave Celtic who will be playing in the Champions League next season for a team that could be fighting a relegation battle in England isn’t deserving of Van Dijk.
“We have seen time and time again players who play in the Champions League have such a better chance of representing their national team.
“That should be a real consideration for him.”
