Koeman pleased with Van Dijk debut

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has given new signing Virgil van Dijk a glowing tribute after the centre-back made his debut for the Saints in Saturday's 0-0 draw at West Brom.

A deadline day signing from Scottish champions Celtic, the 24 year-old Van Dijk acquitted himself well as the visitors kept a clean sheet at the Hawthorns.

Koeman said: "Virgil was, in my opinion, impressive how he played. Looks very comfortable with his new teammates and good in defending and we know also one of his qualities is in his passing from the back. He played perfect.

"He played on the highest level Champions League with Celtic. Of course, the Premier League normally is a stronger competition than Holland and Scotland, but he played very good. "

There is strong belief at St Mary's that Van Dijk could form a solid long-term partnership at centre-half with Jose Fonte, as the two played together for the first time over the weekend.

The Saints boss continued: "Yeah, it can be, but also [there was a] couple with Maya and Jose and Caulker. We have a lot of competition on that position, but if you play like how we played then it can be a perfect couple."

Southampton's next match in the Premier League is on Sunday when they host Manchester United.