VIRGIL VAN DIJK will have to prove himself in Europe before landing the big move he desires – according to former Celtic star Frank McAvennie.

The Dutchman has been linked with a move away and clubs from all over Europe are monitoring the situation.

However, McAvennie believes it would be better for the defender and Celtic if he showed a little more patience, does well in the Champions League this season and 12 months from now one of the true big boys will come calling.

Macca said: “I would like to see him stay another year. Celtic want about £10million but they won’t get that. He’s got a lot to learn and isn’t a full international yet.

“If he does well for Celtic in Europe then he’ll get a big move. Victor Wanyama and Fraser Forster got a big move for those reasons. I think he’s got the makings of being one of the top defenders in Europe. He has everything about him, but he has to learn to defend.

“But if he goes down to England, he will be a work in progress. He has not played against anyone in Scotland.

“Virgil should make a name for himself in Europe before he moves on because if he does he might surprise himself and get a better team. Stay one more year and he might get one in the top half of the Premiership. I don’t know if he will do so well if he ends up in a team fighting relegation.”

The worry for Celtic manager Ronny Deila is that Van Dijk will have his head turned by the time the first Champions League qualifiers begin.

But McAvennie believes the best players can ignore such matters when it’s time to get down to business.

He said: “There were a couple of times I wanted away, but when you are on the park it’s different. I think he will be alright.”