Charlie Mulgrew tips Virgil van Dijk to go to World Cup with Netherlands

Charlie Mulgrew believes that fellow Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk should go to this year's World Cup with the Netherlands.

Van Dijk has yet to make his senior international debut, but Mulgrew reckons that the 22-year-old's club form has been sufficiently impressive to earn a spot in Louis van Gaal's squad for this summer's 32-team tournament in Brazil

"I'd give Virgil my backing for a World Cup call-up," he told reporters. "He's a top player and is still young. He's got plenty of time on his side. From what I've seen of him and from training with him, he's good enough to be in the Holland squad.

"You could see from day one of his time here that he was a good player and he has got all the attributes. He has improved during his eight months here too and is getting better all the time.

"He's a typical Dutch centre-back - really good on the ball and really composed. He makes it look easy at times. Is it harder to get a call-up for a country like Holland when you're playing in Scotland? I don't know, maybe it is but I don't know why it should be."

Celtic have kept 11 consecutive clean sheets in the Scottish Premiership - a run that dates back to November.