Jozo Simunovic can turn out to be as good as Virgil van Dijk

Celtic boss Ronny Deila believes new signing Jozo Simunovic could turn out to be as good as Virgil van Dijk.

Dutch defender Van Dijk, 24, moved to Southampton during the transfer window with the Scottish champions raking in around £11.5million, according to reports.

Croatia Under-21 central defender Simunovic was brought in from Dinamo Zagreb as a replacement with his fee reported in some places as high as £5.5million.

Deila also recruited Ryan Christie from Inverness for around £500,000, although the 20-year-old was loaned back to the Highland club and Manchester United's Tyler Blackett, an England Under-21 international defender, joined on a season-long loan.

Ahead of the trip to Aberdeen in the Ladbrokes Premiership on Saturday, Deila was asked if Simunovic could go on to be as good if not better than Van Dijk.

“I think he has the potential,” said the Norwegian. “I gave a lot of credit to Virgil last year and I did it because I really meant that he is a top player.

“We have scouted Jozo for a long time and we think he has the attributes that (means) we can make him a big player.

“But he is 21 and it will take some time to get to the highest level, of course. But we know that we have got a very talented boy.

“I am happy for Virgil to get the chance.

“He wanted to go last year as well but he stayed one more year and that was good for him and good for us because he has developed.

“Last year we were talking £7million/£8million and now we are talking about a lot more money.

“We developed him, he developed himself and it was time to move on.

“Now we have new players in and we are looking forward to them and hopefully get a new Virgil van Dijk or even better.”

Deila, who “will see” if Simunovic is involved against Aberdeen, is glad the transfer window is closed.

The former Stromsgodset boss said: “I am very happy now. I think we made some good signings, good prospects.

“Now it is going to be good to stop talking about transfers for a while.

“Now we know what kind of group we have to work with until February and that is going to be very good.”

After his first training session at Lennoxtown, Simunovic was asked about the expectations the price tag will bring and whether he will feature against the Dons, who trail Celtic by one point at the top of the table, albeit having placed a game less.

He said: “I don’t feel pressure. I believe in myself and money for me is not important. It is only important that I play well.

“It was my first day at training and we will see what the coach will decide.

“But I believe in myself and believe I can play in this team.”