TOM BOYD, the former Celtic defender and captain, has given his backing to Virgil van Dijk as the centre-half is once again linked with a move to England.

 

The Dutchman was quoted yesterday as claiming he would welcome an opportunity to develop elsewhere, despite him still having two years left to run on his contract at Parkhead.

A host of Barclays Premier League clubs have been rumoured to be keeping tabs on the 23-year-old including Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspurs and Southampton.

It is of little surprise to Boyd, who has been taken aback by the growing talent and reputation of Van Dijk since his arrival from Groningen two summers ago.

"I certainly think he's capable of playing at top clubs down south from what I've seen. There's no problem there," said the former defender.

"Selfishly, I hope he doesn't because I want him to stay at Celtic for a number of years. He gives everything in every game and he has performed exceptionally well. That's why he has come to the attention of sides like Arsenal. He has everything in his locker to go down there. He has pace, power and he can score goals.

"There have been a couple of blips along the way, of course. But he is just a young boy who is still learning. It takes experience to get all of these notches out of your system but he will do that."

Van Dijk is most likely top of the list of players the Celtic support would like to see retained over the summer. Yet there are a few who Boyd believes could be set to make way for fresh blood to stream into the Scottish champions.

You do not have to look far to see the obvious candidates for any potential cull. Players out on loan such as Amido Balde, Teemu Pukki and Holmbert Fridjonsson have disappeared off the radar, while the names of Tom Rogic, Derk Boerrigter and Stefan Scepovic will hardly register with those who regularly watch the Glasgow club.

There are some who may get another chance to impress Deila, and Boyd thinks it could be two homegrown players who are afforded an opportunity of a crack at life in green and white.

He said: "Liam Henderson and Dylan McGeouch I'd say certainly can have a future at the club. The rest I'm not too sure about. In terms of what we've seen up to now they don't look as though they could make it.

"Maybe they need another season or so on loan but that obviously is a wee while away from the club.

"Certainly Liam is one who has improved well [at Rosenborg] and Dylan is a key part of Hibs' team just now they are pushing for promotion.

"I'd say those two will still be interesting the manager. They would be high on the list of those looking to be retained."

Regardless of who stays and who goes, Boyd is firm in his belief that strengthening the forward areas is a priority for Celtic.

Focusing on the current Hoops first team, Deila's options in attack are limited going into an early Champions League qualifying campaign in the summer.

Leigh Griffiths has elbowed his way to the front of the queue for a start while Anthony Stokes has often been shunted out wide this term.

But with John Guidetti's future in Glasgow looking questionable, the need for more threat up front is surely a must.

"They'll need to reinforce the front the line for next season," said Boyd.

"We don't know the situation with John Guidetti over will he stay or go. He's not on our books and you'd imagine he'd be leaving. Scepovic is another who has not stepped up to the mark yet either.

"Taking all of that into consideration, Celtic are still a bit lightweight if you have guys like Balde and Pukki still out on loan. Even then, right now you'd probably think they are not good enough to get into the team.

"Trying to find boys in the market that Celtic can afford then becomes the problem. Every club wants top goalscorers and they get noticed by everyone.

"Hopefully the club can find a few who can more than fill the boots of those who are possibly leaving."