Virgil van Dijk reveals Rangers vs Celtic POLICE meeting was more intense than on-field derby experience

Virgil van Dijk revealed meeting with the POLICE before his sole appearance against Rangers was more intense than Celtic’s 2-0 Hampden stroll.

The Dutchman’s two years at Parkhead coincided with the Light Blues being in the lower leagues before their return to the Scottish Premiership but they did meet in the semi final of the League Cup - the first clash between the fierce rivals in three years.

Leigh Griffiths and Kris Commons scored for Ronny Deila’s Hoops but were far more dominant than the 2-0 scoreline suggested. It was the only time Van Dijk played in one of world football’s most famous fixtures as he left for Southampton that summer before a record-breaking move to Liverpool. But he was asked about the derby after joining ex England stars Gary Lineker and Micah Richards on the Rest is Football podcast. And it was the pre-operations meeting rather than the on-pitch action that he highlighted.

Van Dijk said: “I played it once. The whole preparations and the meetings with police for example for the game to get you ready was more intense than the actual game. It’s a special game. The city is divided with the two clubs and it’s amazing to have played it at least once. It’s an intense battle but at the time I was there, it was more intense outside the game. We really enjoyed it over there. The city in general was very bubbly.

“Of course you come across some fans of the other team but same goes here. In Liverpool we have the same in this regards. The fans from the other team you come across are fanatic about their team but it’s still in a respectful way they approach you. People don’t really realise how massive Celtic is.”

Asked about his move to Celtic from Groningen, the Dutch stopper said: “It was time for me to