Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk missed out on a first call up to Netherlands squad this week but responded with a great performance against Ross County.
- By Michael Bell
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Van Dijk has been in great form since joining the SPL Champions from Groningen in the summer, and impressed many in the Champions League ties against Ajax recently.
A call up to the Dutch national team for the first time was mooted, but coach Louis van Gaal instead called up Ajax youngster Joel Veltman, who has only played three times for the first time this season.
This will be a huge disappointment for the 22 year old, who now seems to be behind a number of defenders in the national team pecking order. Ron Vlaar, Feyenoord duo Bruno Martins Indi, and Stefan de Vrij, along with Veltman, Karim Rekik, and Jeffrey Bruma appear to be the centre backs in contention for a place at next summers World Cup.
However the towering Celtic defender today sent a message to Van Gaal by netting twice in Celtic’s 4-1 win over Ross County, and performing brilliantly throughout.
Both goals were powerful headers, and showcased how the defender could add an attacking presence to Netherlands set pieces.
Any more performances like this and surely Van Gaal will have to start taking notice.
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