{"id":345640,"date":"2025-08-15T04:36:20","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T04:36:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/345640\/"},"modified":"2025-08-15T04:36:20","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T04:36:20","slug":"absolutely-rubbish-jermaine-pennant-slaps-down-jason-cundys-ludicrous-verdict-of-iconic-celtic-hero","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/345640\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Absolutely rubbish’ – Jermaine Pennant slaps down Jason Cundy’s ludicrous verdict of iconic Celtic hero"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Celtic have had a number of iconic players who have donned the green and white Hoops over the years.<\/p>\n

Since 2000, Celtic fans have enjoyed the likes of Henrik Larsson, Paul Lambert, Chris Sutton, John Hartson and Lubomir Moravcik strut their stuff at Celtic Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Shunsuke Nakamura is another hero fans will long remember for delivering special memories like the Man United Champions League win at Celtic Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n

However, it was under Neil Lennon\u2019s<\/a> Celtic in 2013 where another Hoops hero was born and Jermaine Pennant had to defend him from the inane ramblings of talkSPORT motormouth Jason Cundy.<\/p>\n

\"CelticPhoto by Jeff J Mitchell\/Getty ImagesCeltic hero Virgil van Dijk \u2018isn\u2019t John Terry\u2019<\/p>\n

Yeah, this was Cundy\u2019s verdict on Celtic icon Virgil van Dijk<\/a>. The man who won silverware in Scotland and multiple titles at Liverpool including the Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup amongst others.<\/p>\n

This is a defender who was voted the best defender in the world for the fourth time in a row by FIFPRO<\/a> in 2024. <\/p>\n

But this motormouth talk show host reckons the former Celtic man is not better than John Terry.<\/p>\n

Cundy said on talkSPORT, \u201cI tell you what I will agree with you right? People talk about van Dijk as the greatest defender this country\u2019s ever seen. Rubbish. It\u2019s rubbish.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry. Because he is a very, very good, excellent centre-back. He isn\u2019t John Terry. He isn\u2019t Rio [Ferdinand].<\/p>\n

Pennant<\/strong>: \u201cWhat do you mean? He\u2019s better! So you\u2019re telling me, you ask any attacker, who would you rather go up against, one on one, John Terry or Virgil van Dijk. <\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re going to say JT all day long.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cundy<\/strong>: \u201cI\u2019m not having it, mate. I\u2019m not having it. I\u2019ve said this before. I\u2019ve been saying this for years, and I\u2019ve got slaughtered for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pennant<\/strong>: \u201cSo you should get slaughtered for it because it\u2019s an absolutely rubbish debate.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe had one game, an off day [vs Crystal Palace] and one game out of 10 seasons or eight seasons at Liverpool, are you both having a laugh? <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re telling me, John Terry or Rio have been amazing every time they step on a football pitch?\u201d<\/p>\n

Virgil van Dijk\u2019s glittering career including titles at Celtic and Liverpool<\/p>\n

If there is any proof needed that van Dijk is the best defender in the world, you only need to look at what he has won during his entire career.<\/p>\n

Virgil van Dijk\u2019s Celtic silverware<\/p>\n