VIRGIL VAN DIJK is battling to be fit to face Union Berlin tonight in Celtic's final warm-up game before they begin their competitive campaign against Cliftonville on Wednesday.

The Dutch defender has impressed since arriving in a £2.6million move from Groningen.

While the other new Bhoy, Amido Balde, has struggled to adapt to life in the Hoops, van Dijk has looked at home, both on the park and off it.

The only set-back has been the leg injury picked up in the 6-2 defeat by Greuther Furth on Tuesday.

And, with the Belfast tie so close, no chances will be taken with van Dijk, who is considered a natural partner for Kelvin Wilson at the heart of defence.

The 22-year-old's ability on the ball and composure would be ideal for the first of what Celtic hope will be six qualifying ties for a place in the Group stage of the Champions League.

And van Dijk makes no attempt to hide the fact playing at the very top level made the move across the North Sea so attractive.

He also recognises the need for patience, whether that be waiting to recover full fitness, or to secure a regular starting position at the club where the SPL title and Scottish Cup title were added to last season's run to the Last 16.

Van Dijk said: "Of course I will be patient here.

"I've only been here a couple of weeks and everyone has been very nice to me.

"It's more important to show what you can do on the pitch, though, and not to think about who is in the squad with you.

"You can get a lot of respect that way. But we will see how it goes."

Van Dijk has made an effort not to be overawed either by his new surroundings or the men he is now playing alongside.

The blinkers are very much on and van Dijk said: "There are a lot of good players in the squad, but I only want to look to myself.

"If you do your best and be confident then you will go far.

"First of all I want to play games, as many as possible, that is my goal."

That ambition extends to national level.

And the man who won three caps for the Dutch Under-21 side – including one in a defeat to Scotland in a European qualifier two years ago – has set his sights on playing well enough for Celtic to win a call-up to the full Netherlands squad.

Glenn Loovens managed that during his time at Parkhead and van Dijk would like to follow in his footsteps.

But he knows that is some way down the road and there are priorities to be met nearer home.

"In the long run, I would like to work my way into the first team," van Dijk told the Celtic View.

"And, if you play regularly in the league and in Europe, it becomes a lot easier to get into that picture.

"I have to play before I can start thinking about that, so my concentration is on Celtic. And, if that leads to an international call-up, well, we will just have to wait and see."