Steven Pressley, now at Dundee and previously head of individual development at Brentford, made the comparison prior to potentially reuniting with the defender, Benjamin Arthur, in the Scottish Cup.
Arthur, a highly-rated 20-year-old defender, has joined Martin O'Neill’s side on loan till the end of the season.
He will bolster the back line, providing cover for Auston Trusty, Liam Scales, and others.
Reflecting on his tenure at Brentford and his close association with Arthur post his transfer from Peterborough, Pressley lavished praise on the young defender.
He said Arthur reminds him of a "young Virgil van Dijk."
Pressley said: “Benjy Arthur is a player I worked really closely with in my time at Brentford.
"I really like him and rate him as a player.
"I don’t want to put much pressure on him, but he does remind me of a young Virgil van Dijk.
"He is a huge unit but also very mobile.
"He is right-sided. Benjy is very calm and clean in his defending. He is very assured, quick, strong, and powerful.
"He has got so many good attributes that all the top modern-day defenders require.”
Pressley said: “There was a lot of interest in Benjy.
"I know there were several English Championship clubs who were keen on him, and also Celtic game in, so he had a lot of options.
"I am confident he can do well at Celtic, given the opportunity.”
“Brentford thought this would be a terrific loan for him because one of the biggest challenges is, can you handle the pressures of playing for Celtic or Rangers?” Pressley said.
“I think if you can handle that, then you will be able to handle most clubs.
"In terms of being able to grow and be tested, then this will be a good step for him.”