JASON DENAYER has urged Celtic to resist all offers for Virgil Van Dijk.
The on-loan Manchester City defender believes the Hoops must keep the Dutchman – until the end of the season, at least.
Denayer, 19, said: “There have been lots of people asking questions about Kris Commons and lots of speculation about Virgil too.
“From my point of view and that of the team, I hope that Virgil is here until completion of the campaign.
“He is a strong player and has been fantastic with me.
“We are friends off the park too and on it we have developed a very good understanding.
“He has helped me a lot on the pitch. He has a good understanding of the game and we communicate well.
“I think we got things together very quickly.
“Naturally, we speak often of football, but I have not asked him about what he will do.
“It is up to him and the club to sort that out, but I do want him to stay.
“No team wants to see any of their players leave and, hopefully, he will remain at the club until at least the summer.”
Arsenal have led a host of interested clubs linked with Van Dijk, who joined Celtic from FC Groningen for £2.6million in June 2013,
However, the SPFL champions have insisted he is not for sale during this transfer window.
Denayer is due back at the Etihad outfit at the end of the campaign and there has already been speculation about his future.
It’s likely City boss Manuel Pellegrini will allow the Belgian to move again on a temporary deal and Ronny Deila is eager to offer an extension of another season at the Hoops.
Ajax watched him in action against Hamilton at the weekend, Denayer’s first competitive game since being injured in the 2-1 win over Dundee on November 22.
However, the talented teenager insisted he is remaining focused on the Europa League ties against Inter Milan next month.
He said: “I have to get to a certain standard and performing against players of that calibre can only help me.
“I have enjoyed being at Celtic and it has been positive for me to play in the first-team this season.
“But I still think that I can keep learning and getting better.
“The game on Saturday was my first game for almost two months because of my foot injury so it will take me some time to get back to fitness and feel like I am at my best.
“It is important for me to try and use games like the ones against Rangers and Inter Milan to show that I can handle the pressure.
“They are big games with a lot of interest in them and I hope that I can do well because I think I have to prove that I can perform to that kind of standard.”
