Virgil is in a different place than Victor and Gary were

Virgil van Dijk looks like a level-headed footballer, so I don’t think his game will be upset by his agent’s loose lips.  He has enjoyed a remarkably successful first season at Celtic Park but any attempt by his representatives to create an earner this summer is likely to be inhibited by the three years remaining on his Celtic contract.

There is always a risk of serious injury, but short of that, Virgil’s market value will not diminish in the next 12 months and may even appreciate.  He is in a completely different situation from Victor Wanyama and Gary Hooper, who glided into the last two and one year of their contracts respectively.

It’s a truism of football that those spending a nation’s the mineral wealth on football players tend to get what they want, but it remains to be seen if a handful of Champions League performances are enough to tempt this kind of approach onto the table.  Great player though he promises to be, Virgil’s not been tested at the top level over a prolonged period.

Thanks again for all your support of the Mary’s Meals Malawi school kitchen project ahead of Friday’s CQteN St Patrick’s Day dinner.  You can get involved here.

For whisky aficionados, we have a very special auction running between now and 12:00 on Friday.  We have bottle No. 1 of a limited edition (291 in total) Craigallachie Telford’s Bridge, in a wooden box and presentation cardboard tube, whit an authentication certificate.

Bids are by email only to auction@celticquicknews.co.uk.  This is a rare and valuable bottle, an opening bid of £100 is on the table.  Shipping within UK and Ireland is included.  Please include contact details and your bid amount.

Rest in Peace, Rose Theresa Brennan, who died yesterday, and our thoughts and prayers to Martin42 on the loss of his mother, for the difficult days ahead.