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Where Does Van Dijk Rate as a Celtic Player?

Discussion in 'Celtic Chat' started by Liam Scales, May 24, 2019.

Discuss Where Does Van Dijk Rate as a Celtic Player? in the Celtic Chat area at TalkCeltic.net.

  1. Mr. Slippyfist

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    Shut it, tadger!
     
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  2. Just Kieran Gold Member Gold Member

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    He was a colossus for Celtic, and looked like a man playing against wee boys. He was too big, too strong and too quick for everyone in the League at the time. Even if he did switch off, he had the physicality to recover the vast majority of the time.
    He was also great on the ball and a real goal threat. The League looked too easy for him at times, but he went down and did the same in England. Best defender I've seen play for Celtic and it's no surprise he's become one of the best defenders in the world.

    But I'm sure I remember a lot of people on here saying Denayer was better.
     
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  3. Liam Scales Gold Member Gold Member

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    I can remember * saying that and finding it * hilarious.

    Go further back and * were saying the same about Niall McGinn and McGeady.








    Or even McCourt and Broony @PaulM1888 :fear:
     
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  4. HailHoopy

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    My personal favourites are Mjallby and big Rieper, but I think Van Dijk was better. My favourite for natural talent and entertainment was Di Canio, just a pity he bailed oot.
     
  5. Goggzy60

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    He's the best CB I have seen for us above Mjallby. I personally loved big Bobo and he still remains my favourite Celtic CB I have seen.
     
  6. Liam Scales Gold Member Gold Member

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    Di Canio or Lubo?
     
  7. HailHoopy

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    Di canio humiliated the opposition so much, especially the Sheeps keeper when he wore the Golden boots. But Lubo done things with the ball that just wasn't right. Don't know how Lubo managed to stay hidden for so long cause he could've and deserved to play at the very top level.

    Just realised I've answered the question :43: Lubo it is :giggle1: imagine if we'd have signed him when he was in his 20s. In fact I'm gonna try see if I can find footage of him before he signed for us.
     
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  8. Zander Gold Member Gold Member

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    "Denayer makes him look better than he is"

    In reality the opposite was probably true
     
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  9. Liam Scales Gold Member Gold Member

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    And that much was very obvious the few times Denayer played next to Efe and not Van Dijk. Van Dijk helped Denayer, constantly talking and helping his game.

    Efe left him on his own looking bewildered at both what Denayer himself was supposed to be doing and frequently wondering * Ambrose was doing.
     
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  10. bhoy81

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    VVD was good for us, but not the best I’ve seen, he was still a diamond in the rough.

    He was caught out in Europe loads, now it’s changed at Liverpool.

    Reiper was unreal and Bobo, he did have his faults but players would * themselves.

    Stubbs was class as well, and big Johan is up there.

    Reiper for me.
     
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  11. jpr21

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    All this is exactly how I felt watching him at Celtic. Said to everyone down here he is literally on another level . Old man said the same, just the definition of world class. Some amount of revisionism/bad memories in this thread, he was top drawer here and stood out like a sore thumb .
     
  12. Mr Shelby Moderator Moderator Gold Member

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    Best I've seen and probably will see for us.

    I think it's a bit of a myth that he wasn't great in Europe for us. The teams he played in were kak and when you watch highlight of him against Barca and Milan that Liverpool fans have been sharing lately for instance he still.played very well. He wasn't unreal but I don't think he disgraced himself and his ability was evident.

    Also remember he was early 20s when with us. Insane.
     
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  13. Zander Gold Member Gold Member

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    I kind when we got humped off Barca at the Nou Camp he was the only * that seemed like defending. Felt sorry for him
     
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  14. PaulM1888 Moderator Moderator Gold Member

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    Player or defender?
     
  15. cfc_kenny

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    Easily the best CB I've seen for us.
    Looked too easy for him, he almost looked bored at times.

    Loved when he would step out from the back and intercept high up the pitch.

    Mind that goal against st johnstone and his free kick at Easter road? Just absolute class.
     
  16. JC Anton Get yer, hats, scarfs badges & tapes

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    Meh
     
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  17. dbhoy72

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    Some player, but I still always think Elliot (best one I've saw), Mjallby, Rieper and Balde when I think of our best CHs.
     
  18. celticfan01

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    Yeh probably the best defender ability wise, although I would say as an out and out centre back he wasn't better than Mjallby. People forget all his individual mistakes he made in Europe, which was no fault of the * defence he was surrounded by- was mostly switching off/ not marking his player which he got away with in the league. Too good for the league but didn't do much in Europe, which is why I don't think he can be considered the best.
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2019
  19. Peej Gold Member Gold Member

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    Best defender in the world right now.

    Best defender I've ever personally seen at Celtic park.

    Goes down as being in the top five of the players I've witnessed play for Celtic, with big arguments of being top 3 or even 2nd.

    Numbero Uno is Larsson of course. Followed by the talents of lubo, mcstay and naka all for different styles, positions etc.


    Sent from my F8331 using Tapatalk
     
  20. Lancashire Nick

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    VvD was a top notch defender when with us, and amongst the best Centre Backs I've seen in a Celtic shirt. He's improved since he left, and is now one of the top Centre Backs in the world.

    Cesar is undoubtedly the best Celtic Centre Back of my lifetime, and if VvD came back to play for us now, he would probably be the second best.