Extra year at Celts helped turn Virgil into superstar .. it would do the same for Moussa & Stu

Forster insists duo should savour another 12 months at Parkhead because they’ll never find another club like it again

special and you can never take that for granted. “I would never be encouraging people to leave in a hurry. “When that opportunity does come it needs to be the right move for you. “But ultimately the club will decide when that happens.” Van Dijk had wanted to go a year before he did but Celtic stood firm and kept him for another season to assist new manager Ronny Deila. More European experience was added during that second year in Glasgow and the additional 12 months helped develop him into a more polished operator. Forster said: “Am I surprised Virgil has been spoken about as a £60m player? No. Not when you have played with him. “I saw him early at Celtic and he just cruised through games. “Everything was effortless and then he came down to England and he has been fantastic. It’s a real credit to him. “He has shown everyone that he’s one of – if not the – best defender in the English Premier League. “He’s great on the ball and it’s hard to find players like him at centrehalf.”

While van Dijk is now poised to leave Saints, Forster is staying put.

The Geordie has enjoyed a terrific time at the club after breaking into the England set-up while at Parkhead.

Forster is pushing Joe Hart all the way for the No.1 jersey and has his eyes on returning to the biggest stage in club football as well as boosting his international profile.

During his own time in the Champions League with Celtic the shot-stopper carved his growing reputation.

Stunning performances in two games against Barcelona led to him being dubbed “the Great Wall” by the Catalans and he has not stopped improving since those heady days on the continent.

Forster said: “I have a lot left to achieve. “Moving forward I still want to be England’s No.1 and own that shirt. “At the minute all I can do is play as well as I can for Southampton and push Joe Hart for his place. “Having had a taste of Champions League football at Celtic I’d love to experience that again one day.” I t is an experience the current group at Celtic are hoping to enjoy again this term. Having made their way back into the group stages for the first time since Forster’s spell at the club last term under Rodgers, the champions are aiming to make a quickfire return.

The six-game schedule of qualifiers begins next month and the focus of the club is fixed.

Starlets such as Dembele, Armstrong and Tierney were able to savour the top table for the first time last season and made an instant impact.

Signings such as Scott Sinclair also relished the chance to mix with the best and Forster reckons the lure of the Champions League could help Rodgers attract more types like the winger.

If he’s asked by anyone considering the switch from south of the border to Glasgow the England star is adamant he would only have one answer to offer.

He said: “I would definitely recommend Celtic to any player. There is a massive appeal to go there.

“You are constantly competing for trophies, you have the Champions League and you have the big fanbase.

“It’s a unique club and a lot of people don’t realise how big it is until they see it for themselves. It’s a fantastic club and I’d always recommend people to go.

“When they get there they would just fall in love with the place.”