VIRGIL VAN DIJK will be handed the Celtic captain's armband tomorrow night...

And with it a timely reminder of how much he has developed since joining the Parkhead club.

It will also be a another indicator of how much of a key component the Dutch defender - who will be playing his 50th game of the season - has become to Ronny Deila's Green Machine.

Scott Brown will serve a one-game suspension for the home Glasgow derby against Partick Thistle, as the league leaders look to take another three points and move a step closer to four-in-a-row.

Van Dijk is already recognised by Deila as "the leader of the defence," and has helped them build a rock solid back line which has seen only 14 goals conceded in their 29 league games.

With vice-captain Charlie Mulgrew still sidelined due to his knee injury, the Dutchman will be invited to expand his leadership qualities to embrace the entire team.

His importance to the side is growing by the week, in tandem with the number of scouts tracking him.

Deila does not hide the fact he will do all in his power to fight off unwanted suitors for the man under contract for another two years, at least until Celtic's bid to return to the Champions League is decided.

For whoever is crowned Scottish champions, the qualifiers kick-off in mid-July.

And the play-offs - which will carry a bounty from Uefa of around £18million, plus, if it is Celtic, a massive bonus from new kit sponsors, New Balance - will conclude on August 26.

That's five days before the summer transfer window closes.

So, it could be an eleventh-hour decision for the Hoops to sell if an offer which meets their high valuation is received.

Van Dijk was unhappy when speculation about a move to England failed to materialise during last summer's transfer window, and Deila felt it necessary to allow him time away from playing to get his head straight.

"There was a lot of talking going on in the summer that I wanted to leave and that there were clubs interested," recalled the central defender.

"Everyone was not so positive around me.

"But, I'm still only 23 and just enjoy playing here."

Both the manager and the player are in agreement this second season spent with Celtic since his £2.6m move from Groningen has been best for both parties.

And Van Dijk has given even more hints he is not about to rock the boat during the bid to land a historic Treble, or during the Champions League qualification campaign this would offer.

With 95 appearances already under his belt, he recognises a lot more is now expected of him because of what he has already shown.

But, he is thriving on that pressure because he knows it is the kind of challenge he needs to get to where he wants in the game.

Van Dijk said: "I think I've made a lot of progress, and there is a big chance we are going to win the Treble.

"I want to write some history here."