VAN PERSIE AXED, VAN DIJK IN

However, the frontman’s career has faltered since quitting Manchester United for Turkey in the summer and he is the first major casualty after the Dutch side’s failure to qualify for next year’s European Championship.Blind said he did not think Van Persie was “playing well” for the Hoops’ Euro rivals, but added that he could still be called up in the future if he returns to full fitness.

In his last game, Van Persie scored an own goal when he came on as a first-half substitute in the 3-2 flop against the Czech Republic, the defeat that meant his country failed to qualify for a major tournament for the first time since 2002.

Manchester United’s Memphis Depay has also been dropped by Blind, who said: “In football, you must function in a team. He doesn’t always do that.”

Former Celtic centre-half Virgil van Dijk, who joined Southampton in August, has been included along with team-mates Maarten Stekelenburg and Jordy Clasie.

The Dutch, who have no competitive matches until the World Cup qualifiers start next year, play Wales in Cardiff on November 13 before travelling to Germany four days later. They will play England in a friendly on March 29 next year.Ajax, who are also in the Parkhead side’s Europa League group, have six players included in the squad – goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, defenders Jairo Riedewald, Kenny Tete  and Joel Veltman, midfielder Davy Klaasen and striker Anwar El Ghazi.

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Limited number of copies of CAESAR & THE ASSASSIN remain. Order your now HERE for only £14.34 plus Postage, or click on the book cover. The follow up book is called THE WINDS OF CHANGE and was completed today. It tells the story of managing Celtic from the summer of 1991 when an Irishman, Liam Brady walked in the door, up to the Scottish Cup Final of 2005 when another Irishman, Martin O’Neill managed the club in a competitive match for the last time.

It is a Celtic rollercoaster period , 14 seasons and 8 men in the manager’s hot seat. Some did better than others…

THE WINDS OF CHANGE is out soon but if you have missed the story so far order CAESAR & THE ASSASSIN tonight…