Former Celtic defender Glenn Loovens has told Hoops fans it won’t be long before Joel van den Berg makes a name for himself at Parkhead. The £3.4million signing from PSV Eindhoven has yet to be seen on the pitch having picked up an ankle injury after landing from Holland late in the window.
Van den Berg was spotted coming off the team coach wearing a club tracksuit before he was announced and then spotted hobbling out of Celtic Park wearing a moon boot a few weeks later following a couple of sightings on the bench.
Loovens impressed by Van den Berg's potential
The 19-year-old was signed as a prospect for down the line though and former Celt Loovens is convinced the midfielder’s future is bright. The Dutch defender – who spent four years with the Hoops after signing from Cardiff City in 2008 – has been working as a talent scout in his homeland and beyond and he’s seen plenty of Van den Berg in action.
Loovens has been seriously impressed and he is adamant Celtic have landed a top talent with bags of potential.
He said: “Have I seen him? Of course. Van den Berg I watched a lot for young PSV. He's a very good young talent. Real box-to-box player. He's got an eye for goal as well. For how young he is, he's already got a good physical size. You need to give him a bit of time because he's young but he will be a huge success for Celtic.
“Is he highly thought of in Holland? Yeah, yeah, yeah. They already put him to the first team last year. He made his debut and played another couple of games for PSV. So he's a big talent. He's young. He goes abroad. New surroundings. Everything is new. You need to give him a bit of time but he will be good for Celtic.”
Lotomba expected to play squad role
Loovens has high hopes for Van den Berg but he’s also seen plenty of fellow Celtic signing Jordan Lotomba. The full back was a surprise arrival late in the window but has managed just a 10-minute cameo when he came on for the final stretch in the painful Premier Sports Cup defeat to Rangers at Ibrox.
Loovens reckons Lotomba can be a steady addition to the squad but he’s not expecting the right back to oust Alistair Johnston any time soon, with the Canadian ace expected to return from injury in the next few weeks.
He said: “Then the right back (Lotomba). He was second choice right back at Feyenoord. So I probably think they took him to widen the squad. Not so much to play. That's what I think. Because they have Alistair Johnston. When he's back fit, he'll be probably back number one again.”
Lotomba has plenty of experience but it’s the flip side for Van den Berg with the teenager only making a handful of appearances for the PSV first team. The former centre back has no concerns about his fellow countryman settling in at Parkhead, though, as the playmaker will be able to lean on veteran campaigners such as Callum McGregor and James Forrest.
Loovens said: “Yeah, of course. As a young player, you always need guidance. From your senior players around you. So, of course, they will benefit as well to help him. Because, like I said, he will be a good player for Celtic.”
Faith in Celtic to turn form around
Loovens enjoyed a stellar career before and after Parkhead, with a stint in Spain at Real Zaragoza followed by several years in England with Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland before calling time. But he still keeps tabs on the Hoops and he understands the sticky spot his old club are in right now.
The Dutchman was snapped up by Gordon Strachan in 2008 but didn’t get his hands on the title until his final season in 2012. The former Holland cap knows how it feels when the heat is on but he is convinced Celtic can pull themselves out of their current funk.
Martin O’Neill revealed this week he is up for the fight after admitting he was considering his future on the back of three damaging defeats in a row – twice to Rangers in the Premiership and League Cup, and the Europa League loss to Ferencvaros in between.
The Hoops gaffer declared he has the appetite to get back to business with his side set to resume domestic duties at Motherwell on Sunday. Celts still have a two point lead at the top of the Premiership – although rivals Rangers can jump ahead for at least 24 hours if they collect three points at Kilmarnock on Saturday.
Loovens insisted the key is keeping the head – and he’s convinced O’Neill has the quality to get his men back on track.
He said: “If possible I try to watch them. There's always a little bit of panic when you lose a couple of games on the bounce, which is normal. Especially against the big rivals of course. I have faith that they will turn it around and they have enough quality in the squad to get things going.”
“I'm not sure we ever lost three or four on the bounce. In these times you have to stick together. That's the only way. Work hard. Go back to the basics. The quality they have. If you sort these things out, the quality will shine again.”
