VIRGIL van Dijk displayed a previously hidden talent as a human beatbox at a supporters' question and answer session this week and the Dutchman feels it is only a matter of time before Celtic also find a consistent rhythm on the field.

Not all Parkhead fans have been enthused by the club's Europa League campaign but few have more personal incentive to do well in the competition than the 23-year-old, who provided the backbeat to some impromptu Swedish rap from striker John Guidetti at a publicity appearance in Glasgow.

After a summer of intrigue over a prospective transfer to Southampton, Van Dijk was linked this week with a January move to Arsenal, and with the SPFL Premiership a somewhat devalued commodity when it comes to foreign scouts, much stock will be placed on his performances on the continental stage.

The same goes for international level, and the player's ongoing efforts to convince Dutch boss Guus Hiddink of his merits. While the player was included in the squad for the double header against Kazakhstan and Iceland, and clearly enjoyed the challenge of training alongside the likes of Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben, he didn't make it off the bench in either match and has yet to make his full debut.

Everything remains in a state of flux for this struggling Dutch side, who slumped to a 2-0 defeat in Reykjavik, but to date Stefan de Vrij of Lazio and Bruno Martins Indi of Porto have been Hiddink's preferred defensive partnership.

"The Europa League games are important, not just for me but for Celtic," Van Dijk said. "It is vital that Celtic stay in Europe and have a run and it is important that we play at the highest possible level. For us that is the Europa League.

"I don't know what will happen for me at international level. I just want to make it with Celtic and do well and wait for my opportunity. Until then I will keep working hard. I don't know who keeps an eye on me from the Dutch FA, but I am sure that somebody will be watching my progress.

"I just want to keep my place in the squad and you never know what will happen the next time we are playing. Guys like Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben are experienced players and they are good guys too. You learn so much from them and I have a lot of respect for both.

"We do a lot of position games and everyone has a high standard as we are the best 25 players in Dutch football.

"Guus didn't say much to me other than focus on the game but he knows what I am capable of and that's why he chose me. I am just waiting patiently for my chance to show what I can do."

After a creditable draw in Salzburg and a fine victory against Dinamo Zagreb, Van Djik's next opportunity to impress on the European stage comes against FC Astra Giurgiu at Celtic Park on Thursday night.

It is fair to say that Van Dijk is not an authority on the Romanian outfit. "We know absolutely nothing about them at the moment but I am sure we will analyse them soon enough," he said. "You don't underestimate anybody in Europe.

"Astra are in the Europa League group stage and that is a big achievement for them. We will be prepared for them when the time comes. We want to win both games against Astra and I am confident that Celtic are going to do well."

Van Dijk isn't the only Celtic central defender taking his first tentative steps in the international arena. Also away last week was Jason Denayer, the on-loan Manchester City defender's strong start to the season earning him his maiden Belgium call-up, even if he too didn't make it on to the field.

Having taken it upon himself to welcome his erstwhile defensive partner to the club, no-one takes more pleasure in Denayer's career milestone than Van Dijk. The Dutchman even took it upon himself to break the news to him in front of all the other players on the team bus.

"Jason is a good boy," Van Dijk said. "He is calm, a good player with lots of talent and I think he deserved his call-up to Belgium's senior team. He needs to keep improving - the same goes for everybody at the club - but I was very proud for him.

"I heard the news first so I read it out to him. He was very happy of course and everyone congratulated him very warmly. It was a good day for him. If he keeps doing what he is doing right now, he is going to win lots of games, and hopefully he stays in the squad as well.

"Of course we are friends, we have played a couple of games together already.

"Even from the first day that he came here I talked to him a lot, it is always good when players welcome you warmly. That is what happened to me as well when I came here."

There has been a perception from outside the club of disharmony amid Deila's Celtic but that is not the picture according to Van Dijk.

The former Groningen defender feels the sense of togetherness which was such a powerful factor under Neil Lennon remains, regardless of the club's indifferent league results and believes it is that more than anything else which can help them piece together some more consistent form.

"We know what we are capable of," Van Dijk said. "We have been a little bit inconsistent so far, and obviously we didn't win the last home game.

"But I think the boys who have come in are good boys, good players with a lot of quality. The season still has a long way to go and hopefully we can show everybody something."