'I won the Premier League with Liverpool - Celtic star was best I ever played with'

Virgil van Dijk spent two years at Celtic between 2013 and 2015, and the Dutch centre-half has revealed who he believes was the best player he ever shared the pitch with in Glasgow

Virgil van Dijk has previously picked out Stefan Johansen as one of his top team-mates from his Celtic days.

The Dutch international, who became a household name during his stint with The Bhoys between 2013 and 2015, played with a host of talent at Celtic Park, including icons like Scott Brown, Georgios Samaraa, and Jason Denayer.

Yet it was Norwegian midfielder Johansen that really caught Van Dijk's eye. During a Twitter Q&A, when quizzed about the best of his former Celtic comrades, Van Dijk didn't hesitate to highlight his fond memories. He said: "I loved my time at Celtic and played with so many top players but a special mention to Stefan Johansen."

Johansen rose through Bodo/Glimt's ranks in 2007, then switched to Stromsgodset four years later, until finally joining Celtic in 2014 - spending an impressive two seasons there. With 19 goals and 22 assists over 114 appearances for the club, Johansen not only earned the affection of fans but walked away with the Celtic Player of the Year and PFA Scotland Player's Player of the Year accolades in the 2014/15 season before moving to Fulham in 2016.

Johansen, best known for his time with Fulham, where he helped the team secure Premier League status through the Championship playoffs twice, moved to Queens Park Rangers in 2021 and later ventured into the Eliteserien with Sarpsborg 08 in 2024.

Now 34, the experienced player has been without a club since the start of the year, a stark contrast to the soaring career of Van Dijk since he left Celtic in 2015. To put it into perspective, the robust centre-back was signed by Southampton for £13million under fellow Dutchman Ronald Koeman in 2015, making an immediate impact in the Premier League.

The defensive powerhouse made 80 appearances in all competitions for the Saints before being snapped up by Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool in a then-club-record transfer of £75m. The move proved fruitful for the Anfield bosses, with Van Dijk instrumental in securing their first-ever Premier League title in the 2019/20 season, along with an FA Cup, two League Cups, a Community Shield and a Champions League.

Fast-forward to 2025, and Van Dijk remains a key player for the Reds under Arne Slot. Liverpool lead the Premier League table with aspirations of securing a second league title since its rebranding in 1992. The Anfield giants are currently favourites to clinch the 2024/25 title, holding a six-point lead over second-place Arsenal with a game in hand.

However, the future of Van Dijk in the north west is currently up in the air, with his contract due to run out in the summer. The defender has expressed his desire to stay with the club and secure a new deal, but his age could play a crucial role in the forthcoming negotiations.

On the other hand, Celtic are currently soaring in the Scottish Premiership holding a 10-point lead over rivals Rangers, and with a game still in hand. Even though players like Johansen and Van Dijk have been absent from the club for a while now, the team is undoubtedly brimming with talent in both defence and midfield.

Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor have each netted six goals so far this season, evidently offering scoring potential from the midfield. Moreover, with only one defeat this entire season, players like Liam Scales and Cameron Carter-Vickers have been delivering outstanding defensive performances to keep any opponents at bay.

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