Jason Denayer has urged Celtic to resist all overtures for Virgil van Dijk - until the end of the season at least.

 

The 19-year-old Belgian central defender, currently at the club on a season-long loan deal from Manchester City, has enjoyed a productive relationship with van Dijk at the heart of Celtic's defence this season.

Denayer returned to Celtic's starting line-up in Saturday's 2-0 win over Hamilton Accies but with representatives from Arsenal watching Van Dijk, the defender is hoping the window with the squad still intact.

"There has been lots of people asking questions about Kris [Commons] and lots of speculation about Virgil too," said Denayer.

"From my own point of view and that of the team I hope that Virgil is here until the end of the season because he is a strong player. He has been fantastic with me.

"We are friends off the park too and on it we have developed a very good understanding.

"We speak often of football but I have not asked him about what he will do.

"It is up to him and the club to sort that out but I do want him to stay.

"No team wants to see any of their players leave and hopefully he will stay until the summer.

"He has helped me a lot on the pitch. He has a good understanding of the game and we communicate well.

"I think we got an understanding together very quickly."

Denayer himself is due to return to Manchester City this summer, although Deila has already considered trying to keep the player on another season-long loan deal.

However, with the forthcoming Europa League tie against Inter Milan on the horizon, Denayer is keen to use the platform to impress Manuel Pellegrini.

"I have to get to a certain standard and playing against players on that calibre can only help me," he said.

"I have enjoyed being at Celtic and it has been positive for me to play in the first-team this season.

"But I still think that I can keep learning and getting better.

"The game on Saturday was my first game for almost two months because of my foot injury so it will take me some time to get back to fitness and feel like I am at my best.

"It is important for me to try and use games like the one against Rangers and Inter Milan to show that I can handle the pressure.

"They are big games with a lot of interest in them and I hope that I can do well in them because I think I have to prove that I can perform to that kind of standard.

"The next few weeks will give me a chance to try and ensure I am going into them fully fit."