Virgil van Dijk once told an opposition's striker, 'I wouldn't even bother, I'm just too good' during his time at Celtic.
Former St Johnstone striker Graham Cummins played against the Dutchman in the Scottish Premiership and discussed the experience with The Irish Examiner.
"He left the day after we played against them. That's my claim to fame, that's what pushed the Southampton deal over the line, that he marked me," Cummins joked.
"We were told in the dressing room, stop him, rather than him stopping you. Get behind the ball when he gets it, because he'll run the pitch no bother.
"The first ball, I tried to sprint with him and he just boshed me out of it. I was out of breath and blowing out of backside and he just turned to me and said 'I wouldn't even bother, I'm just too good."
The 28-year-old impressed during his time in Scotland before earning a move to Southampton in 2015.
His three years at the St Mary's Stadium earned him a record £75 million move to Anfield in December 2017 and he hasn't looked back.
A PFA Player of the Year award and Champions League medal came in 2019 with a Premier League title likely this season.
Celtic boss Neil Lennon once revealed what he told the defender after he moved to Celtic Park from FC Groningen in 2012 and it shows he was destined for the top.
"After one day I pulled him in after training and said 'look, you are not going to be here long. Enjoy yourself.'
"After one day I pulled him in after training and said to him he wouldn't be here long, so to enjoy yourself."
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 16, 2019
When Celtic signed Virgil van Dijk it became very clear to Neil Lennon the calibre of player they had 🍀#SaturdaySav pic.twitter.com/ITQPYUSPcO
"He was just that good. I could not believe my luck that we got him from Groningen for €2 million. He had everything.
"Pace, great physicality, technique and superb in the air in both boxes."
Lots of Premier League defenders would have been better of listening to Van Dijk's advice as they've clearly not been good enough to keep up with the Dutchman.
source https://www.sportbible.com/football/funny-when-virgil-van-dijk-told-a-striker-dont-bother-im-too-good-20200506
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