FIRST SCOTLAND ... THEN EUROPE
Pierre backs Celts to complete clean sweep then lift Europa League after dropping out of the Champions League
PIERRE VAN HOOIJDONK helped Celtic end a six-year trophy drought and now he’s backing Brendan Rodgers to conquer Europe.
The contrast in the fortunes of the Hoops when the Dutchman arrived at the club in the mid-90s and now couldn’t be more stark.
Back then Rangers were on a relentless run of title successes and the Parkhead club had just emerged from years of boardroom strife.
The boot’s on the other foot these days, with the high-flying Hoops on the brink of only their fourth treble in history this weekend and their arch rivals from Ibrox struggling to compete.
Van Hooijdonk scored the only goal of the Scottish Cup Final in 1995 against Airdrie to give his side their first piece of silverware since 1989.
Celtic have won eight of the 14 Scottish trophies available in the last five seasons and can make it nine from 15 if they see off Aberdeen at Hampden this weekend.
European success has proved more elusive but van Hooijdonk reckons Rodgers can deliver success at that level in the seasons ahead, in the Europa League.
He said: “If I was a club director I’d want Champions League football but as a player the Europa League gives the best opportunity for success.
“I’d want to be part of something I feel I could win and Celtic won’t win the Champions League. You can dream about it but even 18 years is not enough time to make that happen.
“We won the Europa League at Feyenoord in 2002 after being knocked out of the Champions League by finishing third in our group.
“That is the best scenario. You get the money and stay in Europe, so everyone is happy.
“If Celtic reach the Champions League quarter final that would be fantastic. But do you think there would be big posters of them up in the city centre? No way.
“However, if they finish third and win the Europa League, there would be banners
This Celtic team could get to the Europa League Final next season VAN HOOIJDONK
everywhere. This Celtic team could get to the Europa League Final next season. I have been very impressed with what I have seen from them this year.” Van Hooijdonk, now a TV analyst and agent, was on a whistlestop visit to Scotland yesterday to help sponsors William Hill promote the Final against the Dons, who are seeking their first final win in 27 years.
His greatest moment in the competition came 22 years ago this week when he towered above the Diamonds’ defence to connect with a Tosh McKinlay cross, his header giving Tommy Burns his first trophy as Celtic boss and Paul McStay his first silverware as skipper.
He almost didn’t make the game and although he nodded the winner early on, he was forced off in 39 minutes and was replaced by Willie Falconer. Van Hooijdonk said: “I scored the winner even though I was injured before the game. We were training on the lawn at Seamill the day before the match and I tore my hamstring.
“For me everything went well in the game but I was pushed in the back towards the end of the first half and that was me finished.”
Van Hooijdonk has also been partying hard this month after former club Feyenoord won their first title since 1999 following years of overspending and the pile up of debts, which forced them to the brink. Sound familiar?
He said: “Grown men were crying in the stands after Feyenoord won the league. Will Rangers have to wait that long for a title? No. For a club that size, to wait 18 years is unusual.
“If you don’t have the money you have to be creative and spend well. As an agent, there would never be a reason to not bring players to a club like Rangers.”
Pierre van Hooijdonk was speaking at a William Hill media event. William Hill is the proud sponsor of the Scottish Cup.