Celtic have a real talent on their hands with summer signing Joel van den Berg. We are yet to see the Dutch midfielder, who appeared to pick up an injury before the international break, appearing at the second Old Firm in a walking boot.
Van den Berg joined Celtic for €4million from PSV Eindhoven having struggled to establish himself as a senior player with the Dutch giants. Ven den Berg played regularly for the club's B team but only managed five senior appearances, although he is still only 19 years of age.
Celtic are desperate for a midfielder who can show some presence, picking up the ball from deep on the field and take it up the pitch. The loss of Arne Engels with no clear replacement is a huge problem, and there has been no one who has played so far this season who looks like they can be the replacement.
Van den Berg hasn't played, so you do wonder if he can be the answer, albeit no one is expecting him to be at Engels' level just yet.
The good news is that former Celtic defender Glenn Loovens has seen Van den Berg and has described him as a 'box-to-box' midfielder, which is what the Hoops need.
"Van den Berg I watched a lot for Jong PSV," Loovens said. "He's a very good young talent. Real box-to-box player. He's got an eye for goal as well. For how young he is, he's already got a good physical size. You need to give him a bit of time because he's young but he will be a huge success for Celtic.
"They [PSV] already put him to the first team last year. He made his debut and played another couple of games for PSV. So he's a big talent. He's young. He goes abroad. New surroundings. Everything is new. You need to give him a bit of time but he will be good for Celtic.
"As a young player, you always need guidance from your senior players around you. So, of course, they will benefit as well to help him."
When we will see Van den Berg remains to be seen, given he appears to be carrying an injury. Although the three-week international break will have given the Dutchman some time to get back to fitness, or at least close to it.
Celtic are desperate for something different in midfield, and so Van den Berg will surely get his opportunity when he does return to fitness.
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