The Enduring Legacy of Wim Jansen
The 1970 European Cup final remains eternally etched in the histories of both Feyenoord and Celtic, representing an era when these clubs genuinely competed for football's ultimate prize. That legendary night at Milan's San Siro saw Feyenoord secure their first - and still only - European Cup with a 2-1 victory after extra time against Celtic.
Central to this shared history is Wim Jansen, whose name became permanently woven into both clubs' fabric through his remarkable contributions as player and manager. The Dutch midfielder featured prominently in Feyenoord's 1970 triumph before later managing Celtic to one of their most significant league titles in 1998, stopping Rangers from achieving ten consecutive championships.
Van Persie's Personal Tribute
Current Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie delivered an emotional homage to his mentor ahead of tonight's Europa League encounter with Celtic. Van Persie revealed profound personal connections to Jansen, who passed away in 2022 but remains revered by both fanbases.
'During my youth academy days at Feyenoord,' Van Persie recalled, 'the first thing I'd always do was look toward the left corner flag near the clubhouse. That was always Wim's spot. I only wanted to impress one person, and that was Wim.'
The former Arsenal striker shared intimate details of their relationship, including Jansen's demanding standards. 'He once told me when I was very young that he wanted to see in the first five minutes that I was the best player on the pitch. That was the standard he set.'
Shared History in Changing Times
Both clubs now operate in a vastly different landscape from their 1960s and 1970s heyday. Where once European glory seemed achievable, both now struggle to maintain relevance in the Europa League. Feyenoord's De Kuip stadium stands as a testament to past triumphs, with murals and memorabilia celebrating the 1970 victory throughout the Rotterdam ground.
Tonight's match carries significant consequences for Celtic's European campaign. Defeat could effectively end their hopes of progression in what has been a disappointing continental season. With Roma awaiting in Glasgow next, few would fancy Celtic's chances against the Serie A leaders.
Martin O'Neill oversees what appears to be his final European match before handing control to Wilfried Nancy, who is expected to watch Sunday's match against Hibernian. O'Neill previously restored Celtic's European credibility during his first tenure, and victory in Rotterdam would provide a memorable conclusion to his interim leadership.
Feyenoord themselves arrive in uncertain form, having won just once in their last five matches across all competitions and sitting one point behind Celtic in their group. The famous De Kuip atmosphere, with its thunderous acoustics and pre-match techno rituals, provides a daunting backdrop for this crucial encounter between two clubs forever connected by history and the enduring legacy of Wim Jansen.
