Virgil Van Dijk remained tight-lipped on his future last night - but wished departing team-mate Jason Denayer all the best as the Belgian heads back to Manchester City.

 

Van Dijk's future remains unclear with a number of Premiership clubs monitoring the defender's situation. Celtic are adamant that he is going nowhere - although their resolve may be tempted if a significant sum is put on the table.

The defender, however, was keen to savour the moment this week of lifting the league title - his second with the club.

"It was a little bit tougher this year than last year, but in the end we deserved it and it was a good season," said Van Dijk.

"For me it has been all about the championship this year. I want to be a champion and that's what we are. I scored 10 goals and that's something new and a highlight for me."

Celtic conceded just 17 goals in 38 Premiership matches, the best defensive record of any Scottish team since 1918/19.

And this season, it has been the partnership between Van Dijk and Denayer which has been pivotal to the stinginess of the Hoops backline.

"I've had a very good year with him and I'm definitely going to miss him," the Dutchman told the official Celtic website.

"He has a bright future ahead of him if he keeps working and keeps the same mentality that he has right now.

"You need to be lucky as well but he can go very far. He's in the Belgium squad now, I hope he stays there and I hope he can go to France and experience a European Championship.

"I hope he gets some playing-time as well next year at a big club and I wish him all the best."