Bobby Petta believes that Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk's pedigree could enable the player to settle quickly at Celtic.

The 22-year-old claimed over the weekend that the Hoops had tabled a bid for him, believed to be in the region of £1.8million.

The player's agent, Martin Henk Chin, later confirmed an offer had been placed for the Dutch under-21 international but was reluctant to say that it had come from Glasgow.

The Groningen man has been watched by Everton, Newcastle, Cardiff and Brighton and is a player who is regarded as having considerable potential.

Former Hoops winger Petta is well aware that Van Dijk would fit into Celtic's transfer strategy and expects that he would be a strong acquisition for Neil Lennon's side.

"You have to take your hat off to Celtic and their scouting system because over the last five years or so it has been very strong," he said. "Virgil would fit into that again.

"He isn't going to break the bank but he has real pedigree at youth and under-21 level, which suggests that he could come in and fit into the Celtic team, but continue to develop as a player.

"That is how Celtic have done business and it has been a very successful method for the club. They have the likes of Victor Wanyama and Gary Hooper now who are worth a considerable amount more than what they paid for them.

"Virgil is strong, physical and has a lot of first-team experience under his belt. He is well regarded in Holland.

"He has not yet been capped at full international level but in Holland there is a great tradition of bringing through quality players. Much is expected of him and I think a move to Celtic would suit him.

"It would give him the chance to play Champions League football and to play every week."

With Thomas Rogne out of contract and moving on from Celtic, Lennon is looking for additional cover at centre-half this season.

Meanwhile, the Bhoys have been linked with a loan move for Aston Villa keeper Shay Given.

The 37-year-old Irishman is out of favour with Paul Lambert, who has used Brad Guzan as his first-choice stopper.

Given's massive wage packet – he is believed to be taking home in excess of £60,000 per week from the Birmingham club – means that Lambert is desperate to get him a move elsewhere in order to free up some funds.

Given was at Celtic as a youth but was allowed to slip through the net when his contract was not renewed. However, he has always maintained that he would like to return to Glasgow to play for the club.

With Fraser Forster believed to be hankering for a return south of the border since he is desperate to get himself involved in the England squad ahead of the 2014 World Cup Finals next summer, Given would be an ideal short-term replacement, assuming that a compromise is struck in terms of his salary.

Sunderland have been keeping tabs on Forster's situation, while top flight new boys Hull have also been watching the player.

Former Rangers keeper Allan McGregor appears odds- on to leaving Turkey for Hull, but should that fall through it is believed that Steve Bruce would look towards Forster.

Reading manager Nigel Adkins, meanwhile, is keen to take Celtic's Hooper to his side next season with the club prepared to start upping the bidding for the striker.

Adkins worked with Hooper at Scunthorpe and is believed to want the Englishman.

Celtic have already kicked out a £4.5m offer from Hull, while Reading are reported to have tested the water with a bid of £5m.