Celtic manager Ronny Deila believes the club has signed an apt replacement for the departed Virgil van Dijk.

The Dutch defender joined Southampton for a reported £11.5million on transfer deadline day and although his absence seemingly leaves a gaping hole at the back for the Glasgow giants, Deila is confident new addition Jozo Simunovic can comfortably fill the void.

"I think he has the potential," said Deila of the 21-year-old.

"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 seven or eight million 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."

Croatia U21 captain Simunovic arrived in Glasgow on Thursday following his £5.5m move from Dinamo Zagreb.