The end to the saga surrounding Virgil van Dijk’s future could arrive swiftly and suddenly. Possibly even next week if Celtic crash out of the Champions League to Qarabag FK on Wednesday night.

It’s no longer sacrilege to say so. Celtic supporters have been conditioned to accept stark realities. The chance to move on and replace the central defender might even come as a source of relief now.

The Dutchman has been the transfer soap opera of the summer. A back page is barely complete without fresh speculation over a bid from Southampton or Everton - and there was another headline concerning a £7million bid from St Mary’s yesterday which Ronny Deila gave short shrift.

Virgil van Dijk’s transfer saga could be ended if Celtic exit the Champions League, with the defender leaving

Van Dijk has been the subject of interest from the Premier League but could still stay at Celtic this season

He had to, of course. Because if - when - van Dijk goes, it means one thing. That Celtic are out of the Champions League. That they have shipped a 1-0 first-leg lead to Qarabag FK – a slightly unthinkable prospect – or have collapsed in the play-off round.

The soaring temperatures, poor playing surface and hostile crowd are hardly a prospect to savour. But Deila will take on all the adversity going if it staves off a grim defeat and keeps his star defender for a few more weeks.

Responding to the latest report of a £7m bid from Southampton on the eve of a critical match, Deila was dismissive.

‘I don’t think Virgil will lose any energy over that. We have good communication. We know what we want. This is a big game and he has played really well in recent games.

‘There has been nothing we would consider at all. He is going to stay here through qualification as I have said all the time.’

Beyond that, there are no guarantees. Sportsmail understands Celtic already have a replacement from the Continent in mind. Privately, there is an acceptance van Dijk will go. Where and for how much are the bigger questions.

‘When £7m was mentioned, I said we would not consider it,’ added Deila. ‘That is not even close. There has been nothing yet (in terms of a bid)

‘Will his situation change if we go out? I am not even thinking about that. We do not need to do anything. I don’t think about failure. I think about how to win. That’s the most important thing.’

A reluctance to consider a scenario where an unsettled star player might have to be sold to balance the books is understandable. Deila and Celtic have enough on their plate here in Baku, a city with modern structures and temperatures remiscent of Dubai.

Van Dijk is pictured ahead of Wednesday night's game against Qarabag that is vital to Celtic's hopes

The Tofiq Bahramov Stadium has all the hallmarks of a torture chamber. Soaring, unbearable heat, dusty concrete buildings, a pitch inferior to the red-ash pitches in many a west of Scotland playing field and a baying, hostile, noisy crowd.

That van Dijk is here – and, says Deila, fully focussed – could be a godsend.

‘I have been very impressed with Virgil. He has been learning things and has more experience. Last season, we should have done things differently and this year we have done things differently.

‘The two last games have been among his best as well. You could see in our game against Qarabag at home that he is a top international player. He has shown that over time. It is good for Celtic and it’s good for him.’

Managers are greedy. Given the choices, Deila would take qualification for the group stages *and* another year from the 24-year-old. He would only receive half of the cash up for grabs for qualifying and, in gaming, he would rather stick than twist.

‘For me, first of all it’s about creating a team and achieving things for Celtic. That is very positive that clubs are interested in our players, that means that we are doing something right. But we don’t think about that right now.

‘My dream for Virgil and all the other players is to get into the Champions League, play good football in the Champions League, and show that they can perform at the highest level and then they can go to the biggest clubs in Europe if they’re going to go away from us.

Manager Ronny Deila has rejected the notion of bids around £7m for his star man as he looks to build a squad

‘Then that is a step up. But the clubs from six downwards in England, like Southampton, are not bigger than us. They have more money than us but they’re not bigger.’

The hope is that Celtic will come through their ordeal on Wednesday night. That they will benefit from a favourable draw in the play-off round, reach the group stages and hold out the carrot of games against Real Madrid of Barcelona to their star player. In football terms there is no greater shop window than that.

‘I think he believes that he can go to the top,’ said Deila. ‘And again, he has to show that through good performances in Europe, that will help everybody.’

It’s likely van Dijk will still go, even if Celtic qualify. The mood music points to him going whatever transpires in Baku.

Defeat would prompt a ferocious inquest and much soul searching. Questions on the progress Deila has made in revamping not only the team, but the club.

Celtic's players train out on the pitch at the Bahramov Stadium in Azerbaijan on Tuesday night

If Celtic lose, a play-off would still offer the certainty of a Europa League play-off. Despite UEFA taking steps to raise the cash on offer in their secondary competition, however, it remains a second prize.

There are plenty who think it is Celtic’s level right now. That it offers a greater prospect of European football after Christmas.

Yet Deila wants to manage in the Champions League. Celtic may resemble the old aristocrat with the history and the infrastructure rattling around a big old house without the cash to maintain it, but this is a competition which sustains the club. The Europa League is a consolation bauble.

‘I think the level in the Europa League is high,’ added Deila. ‘But again, there is a big difference in the interest levels and the money.

‘There is a big difference between the Champions League and Europa League.

‘It is two good tournaments. Good levels in both. But we want to go to the Champions League. That’s our target.’