CELTIC star Stefan Johansen has defended Scottish football after team mate Virgil van Dijk claimed he'd learned more in England in five games than in two years at Parkhead.

But the Norwegian midfielder has declined to commit his future to the Hoops either.

Johansen is preparing for Norway's Euro 2016's qualifiers against Malta and Italy this week.

But he was surprised to learn about former colleague and friend van Dijk's comments about his time in Scotland.

Johansen said: "Virgil was one of the best players I have played with at Celtic. I met him a couple of weeks ago in London and he told me he was enjoying it, but the statements he made are down to himself.

"There are several players who have performed well at the top level in England after a transfer from us.

"Fraser Forster went and has been good, Victor Wanyama is a solid player in the Premier League and I was never in any doubt Virgil would succeed too.

"So I don't think there is such a big difference in the levels of leagues.

"It is perhaps a bit better in England and they have more world stars, so that is maybe the main difference.

"Virgil is at Southampton now and is certainly incredibly happy to get the chance to play in the Premier League. He thrived at Celtic too and wanted to try the next step."

But Johansen wouldn't pledge his long-term future to Celtic.

He said: "I have one and a half years left on my contract with Celtic, then we'll see what happens."