WHEN Virgil van Dijk signed for Celtic in the summer a few fans contacted me on Twitter to ask if I had seen him and, if so, what kind of player he was.

I had watched him in action over in the Netherlands and told them that he was more than just a defender, that he was very comfortable with the ball at his feet.

I wondered how he would adapt to the rough and tumble of Scottish football. But he has had no problems.

He has produced very few poor performances either domestically or in Europe. He has scored spectacular goals as well.

For a centre-half to score the free-kick that he did against Hibs at Easter Road on Sunday was a bit special.

I am sure clubs in England will be interested in him. And I have no doubt that his manager Neil Lennon will be keen to hold onto him.

But sometimes decisions have to be made for business reasons.

Offers were received for the likes of Gary Hooper, Ki Sung-Yeung and Victor Wanyama which Celtic could not turn down.

Van Dijk fits in with the business model his club has adopted so successfully of unearthing a decent player, developing them and then selling them on at a profit.

I think the majority of Celtic supporters are realistic about this now and would accept it if their club sold him.