I'd love to take Virgil's path to the top

Esselink is following fellow Dutch defender

- BY SCOTT BURNS

BERT ESSELINK admits he came to Scotland to follow in Virgil van Dijk's footsteps.

The defender made the move to Dundee United from Polish side Stal Mielec last month on a two-year deal.

Esselink had always wanted to play in the British game, having watched fellow Dutchman van Dijk boost his career from Celtic to Southampton and then on to English champs Liverpool.

He said: "I have always had good feelings about Scotland.

"Virgil was someone who came to Scotland before going to England when I was a young player and he made an amazing career.

"Something inside me always wanted to follow that path and I feel like this can be a good league for me to excel in.

"Virgil has everything to be considered the best defender in the world.