VIRGIL van Dijk is resigned to staying with Celtic during the January transfer window because he admits the Parkhead power brokers won't sanction a mid-season exit.
The £10 million-rated defender has been linked with a clutch of English Premier League clubs, notably Sunderland and Arsenal, and yesterday Tottenham Hotspur became the latest side to enter the frame for the player's signature. But Van Dijk has sent a strong signal that he will still be at Celtic when the window shuts.
"You never know in football, but for now Celtic will not co-operate with a departure in this transfer period," said the player who has racked up 79 games for Celtic since joining from Groningen 18 months ago for £2.6m.
"It would be a boost for my career if I could make a step up, but I have no problem if I remain a little longer in Scotland. Perhaps in the summer something happens."
Van Dijk delivered his comments after being part of a Celtic side that slipped to a 1-0 defeat in the opening game of the Maspalomas Tournament in Gran Canaria.
The only goal came in the first half when Memphis Depay beat Lukasz Zaluska with a back-post volley. But the big worry for manager Ronny Deila was on-loan striker John Guidetti, who hobbled off clutching his hamstring.
Despite the defeat on a dusty surface, Deila was upbeat about his team's performance. Youngsters Aidan Nesbitt and Joe Thomson made their first-team bows as second-half replacements for Callum McGregor and Guidetti and midfielder Jamie Lindsay also got a run-out.
"It was an even game," said Deila, who hopes to bring in some more fresh legs for Tuesday's tie against Sparta Prague. "We played a good opponent and that's why we're here."
The Celtic manager also provided reassurances over the condition of Celtic captain Scott Brown, who was substituted after taking a knock. He told the club's website: "It was just a cut. A couple of stitches and he'll be back next weekend."
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