Brendan Rodgers could well earn a chunk of Virgil Van Dijk’s transfer fee to Liverpool as he heads into the January transfer window, however the Hoops boss is wary of counting his chickens before they’ve hatched.

Van Dijk’s whopping £75m move to Anfield is expected to bank Celtic just under £9m; it is believed a 15% cut of the profit made by Southampton was the clause inserted into the Dutch defender’s contract when he left Celtic for Southampton.

“It hasn’t been mentioned as yet,” said Rodgers. “It hasn’t gone through yet. Don’t spend it until it is in the bank.

Read more: Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers admits Hoops have spooked Rangers with their run against Ibrox side

“But it’s great for him and playing for a club like Celtic will prepare him for Liverpool, there’s no doubt about that.

“In his time here, he’ll have lived through the expectancy of having to win virtually every game you play and the demands of 60,000 supporters.

“He won’t have had that at Southampton. He’ll have had Premier League experience, but not the demands.

“Now he’ll go back to those demands at Liverpool where every day you have to at your best.

“It’s a brilliant move for him in the middle of his asset-age, really.”

The move also underlined that Scottish clubs are entitled to hold out for the best financial deal possible for players, something that Rodgers has spoken of repeatedly in the past.

With interest in Moussa Dembele intensifying, there is no doubt that Celtic will not be selling the striker on the cheap – especially since he is one that the Hoops boss believes could play for one of top six teams in England.

“I’ve always said there is a value for a player,” said Rodgers.

Read more: Celtic keeper Craig Gordon insists Hoops will beat Rangers if they play to their full capability

“The Premier League is the most competitive league in the world, you see that. And the gap is even starting to open there with the clubs at the top end, even though the clubs at the bottom still have huge finance.

“But just because a player is playing Scotland in a less-competitive league or a less-financial league, it shouldn’t take away from the value of the player.

“That has always been my thinking and it’s all about timing.

“This is a league where there is still outstanding talents and, from my experience of the Premier League, I know there is players here in Scotland that can go straight into some of those top six clubs and play, no question.”

And Rodgers has also revealed that Jonny Hayes remains in good spirits, despite suffering a broken leg on Boxing Day at Dens Park.

The Irish internationalist underwent surgery on his leg but was at Lennoxtown yesterday to join in with lunch with the rest of his team-mates as he looks to begin a lengthy rehab.

“It’s bitterly disappointing for Jonny because he’s settled in, started to show what he can do and started the game against Dundee the other day really well,” said Rodgers.

“I went to see him in the hospital and he’s recovered from the operation. He was in for a bit of lunch with the squad on Friday lunchtime.

“Jonny’s in good spirits, he’s a very positive guy anyway.

“He’ll have his hands full. He’s broken his leg, his wife is due their second child on the 13th of January and he misses out on a trip to Dubai.”