Leigh Griffiths has admitted that Celtic team-mate Kristoffer Ajer reminds him of Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk.
Van Dijk, 28, was snapped up by the Scottish giants from Groningen in 2013 and after two successful years in Glasgow, Southampton eventually signed the Dutchman before selling him to Liverpool for £75million in January 2018.
The £180,000-a-week [Spotrac] defender has since won the Champions League title and helped the Reds finish second in the Premier League standings last season, cementing his place as one of the best centre-backs in world football.
Griffiths believes that while he does see similarities between Ajer and van Dijk, he does not reckon that the Netherlands international would be as happy to play outside of his natural position in comparison to the young Celtic star.
“Yeah but I don’t think Virgil would have been happy to play right-back whereas you saw the big man strolling up there, it was like four or five strides and he is in the penalty box,” said Griffiths, as quoted by the Evening Express.
“He is so athletic and so fit. He can play right-back and it doesn’t bother him a bit.”
OPINION
It’s not hard to see why people compare Ajer and van Dijk, especially north of the border. Both are tall centre-backs who are good on the ball and were brought into British football by the successful scouting team that Celtic have. However that’s about where the comparisons should stop really because while Ajer is a good defender who still has some of his potential to fulfil, he is hardly anywhere near as good as van Dijk. Not many centre-backs in world football can be compared to Liverpool’s talismanic Dutchman. He is truly out there on his own as one of the best in the world. There will be some Liverpool supporters who have not even heard of Ajer yet and while he could go on to play for a top European side in the future, it’s dangerous to start comparing up-and-coming players to those who have already made it. Ajer’s had some tough spells in Scotland and while he has started this season well, his good form will stop at some point and people will be laughing at these comparisons to one of the best there is.
