Virgil Van Dijk played no part in Celtic's Champions league game against Stjarnan in the Champions League leading to rumours a move could be imminent.

Virgil Van Dijk is a name that was linked with Saints a year ago and has again been linked this summer and rumours that he might be about to leave Celtic are increasing after he was not selected for the squad for the Glasgow sides Champions league victory against Stjarnan on Wednesday evening.

Social media was awash with posts suggesting that if Van Dijk had played he would have been cup tied for the Europa league and that his exclusion could mean that Saints are close to a deal, certainly with the other English sides linked with the Dutch central defender not taking part in European qualification it would not have affected them if he had played, certainly Celtic are no adverse to using players in the early rounds of the Champions league even when they are on the brink of a move as we know from signing Fraser Forster who played 4 Champions League games for Celtic last season, the last one only 3 days before joining Saints.

So those who like to put two and two together and make five are having a field day with conspiracy theories today, whether they will prove to be right is something that will be found out in the next couple of days.

Photo: Action Images

searcher52 added 11:02 - Jul 16 Never let the facts get in the road of a good rumour. Perhaps he didn't play because he was seeing out a one match suspension from European competition?
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LARSSONLUBO added 11:08 - Jul 16 Amazing how stories in the English media can be published without ANY facts whatsoever - Van Dyk was SUSPENDED for last nights match. Keep making things up - it's the only way forward for numpties!!!!
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corkcitysaint added 11:11 - Jul 16 Whether true or not, I would hope that we sign at least 2 players in this position for the long season ahead. I fear that it will just be the one though. I hope it doesn't come back to bite us.
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ghosty67 added 11:13 - Jul 16 Top class investigative reporting, if you had read any reports you would have realised he was suspended.
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Zambucco added 11:29 - Jul 16 Conspiracy theory: Maybe he got suspended on purpose? But the rumour we are interested is a very very strong one, almost fact. Without the word from Les we can only speculate. But by Christ I would dearly love him here, Lovren, Alderweireld WHO?
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IWOZTHERE added 12:36 - Jul 16 Derrr. but whatever, please make it so!
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paul1916 added 13:11 - Jul 16 I just wanted to say that I've been reading some other forums and am hearing exactly what I heard before you signed Wanyama/Forster - you aren't sure about Van Dijk because of the Scottish League! It's hilarious - the arrogance from you is incredible. And you never learn, to be fair many Southampton fans want him but others are saying he's not worth £10 million. Forster and Wanyama are probably worth double what you gave us, and Virgil is potentially better than both. His only weakness is his concentration, he is 6'4, technically very good, scores goals, and is deceptively very quick. He is a Rolls Royce type of centre half and I'm sure Koeman would improve him. Groningen are due 25% of any fee so you aren't stealing him off us as well! I said ad nauseum that Forster is potentially one of the best keepers in the world and all I got from your fans was he hasn't been tested and go for someone else! Get over yourselves - the Premiership is overrated anyway and not as good as the Bundesliga or La Liga. Celtic are a far bigger club than anyone down there except Liverpool and Man Utd. We aren't manufactured. We have real history, and playing for us is harder than most clubs because of the pressure.

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SaintDownUnder added 13:54 - Jul 16 Paul1916 you're right on many counts.
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Dan_P326 added 16:50 - Jul 16 And also wrong on many accounts.
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Jesus_02 added 17:32 - Jul 16 I would be more than happy with Van Dijk, not confident it will happen though Vlaar seems more our level (Even Injured)
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Herts_Saint added 19:04 - Jul 16 I would've taken Vlaar a year ago, yet he has seemingly lost what little pace he had. This was evident when we played Villa at home. Van Dijk fits the bill, and we have the cash and Roko to secure him. Not sure what 'our level' is, yet it is high enough these days to enable us to sign the likes of Clasie, Wanyama and Forster, so I don't see a problem. I have also never seen a problem with players in the Scottish League. Yes, the league itself is not great yet there are some fine players in it. If Van Dijk comes to Saints and does what the others have then I'll be happy. I agree that Celtic is a huge club, and it is kind of laughable that 'little' Saints can sign their players these days, yet this craziness is being a member of the cash cow that is the EPL, and those clubs who aren't are at a severe financial disadvantage.

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SaintDownUnder added 21:07 - Jul 16 I remember watching a few Celtic v Barca games and Forster was super human in both and Vic was a standout too, I had little concern that they could play at any level after that, and that's been the case. They're both young too, I mean Vic's not even fully grown yet :-) I agree with most Vlaar lacks pace and set against fonte who is 32 this year and that's not a great combination. I'm still upset we fluffed our lines over Toby as really if we want to be building we need to be retaining talent like Toby and adding talent like VVD. Cedric looks like a great signing, Bertrand hopefully won't miss many games, fonte is mr reliable and we'll add another CB and we'll be solid at the back again. What happens if Pelle gets injured? I know he might not fit our style but Hernadez seems to be surplus to requirements at UTD. What is it with Dutch coaches and not wanting back up for your main striker :-)

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welhamdowed added 22:22 - Jul 16 He could be another Gardos, clearly has talent but goes AWOL too often. Celtic have a handful of tough games a season so hard to tell if he's the real deal. I'd rather we'd spent the money on Toby assuming they'd be similar money. Saying that he'd strengthen the squad for sure so would welcome him.
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bstokesaint added 23:47 - Jul 16 Paul1916, you make some good points and Fraser and Vic have turned out to be fantastic signings. I think you are wrong in assuming us "arrogant" mind. It stands to reason in a non-competitive league that players won't be challenged as much as say the EPL. And when I say non-competitive I mean much of recent history has seen only two clubs fight it out for trophies in Scorland. Celtic and Rangers will therefore obviously be more celebrated clubs.

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