Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk compared to Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand by former boss

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has claimed he always knew his former player Virgil van Dijk would go on to achieve greatness. Lennon has likened him to Manchester United hero Rio Ferdinand. Van Dijk is now considered arguably the best defender in the world, and speaking to the Daily Mail Lennon said he was surprised Celtic were able to keep hold of the Dutchman as long as they did. When asked about Liverpool potentially winning the Premier League this week, Lennon replied: "You cannot deny Liverpool the title. They've been the best team in the country by a considerable distance. "He (Van Dijk) was Rio Ferdinand in the making. He had all of those attributes - he was quick, composed, brilliant in the air in both boxes. Everything you're seeing now, at Premier League and European level, that's what I saw. I couldn't believe there was no English interest. I also couldn't believe he was at Celtic for two seasons! I thought he might have gone after the first." Source: Liverpool