Derk Boerrigter has a lot of happy memories of his time
with Ajax, but his focus will be on helping the Hoops win tonight
Exclusive Interview: Mark Henderson
DERK Boerrigter is uncertain what kind
of reception he'll receive from the
travelling Ajax support tonight but he
does know what to expect from his former
team-mates on the pitch.
The 27-year-old enjoyed a number of memorable
moments during a two-year spell with Amsterdam
outfit, which included scoring the crucial goal in
a 3-2 victory over title rivals PSV Eindhoven that
helped them to their 32nd championship, He felt he-
had a good relationship with most of the fans but
understands that won't be a universal view in the
stands - if such a thing exists.
Boerrigter departed Ajax for Celtic in the summer,
one of several players to head to new pastures, yet for
all the comings and goings something has remained
constant at the Amsterdam outfit: a confidence and
conviction to prevail regardless of the opposition or
venue,
This self-assurance is a fundamental fabric of the
famous club, a factor behind their steady stream of
success over the years, Boerrigter also spent part of
his youth career with Ajax and is well aware of it,
And it won't change when they take on the Hoops in
Paradise.
"Ajax always come to win games and I have heard
that they feel they need to win both home and
away against Celtic, but we are not going to let that
happen," he told the matchday programme in an
exclusive interview,
"They are always confident and I like that attitude,
You cannot go into a game and think 'let's hope it's not
going to be 4-0, we are going to try and lose 2-0'. You
always need to feel that you can a win a game and
must have that feeling ahead of the match,
"I hope Ajax fans don't whistle me!" he added, "1
don't know what to expect. Some fans loved seeing
me play but there will also be fans who will be the
other way around, but you always have that in
football I suppose, I am looking forward to playing
in front of them -1 just need to wait to see what the
atmosphere is like,
"I heard around 10,000 Celtic supporters are
going to Amsterdam which is amazing, I am not sure
how many Ajax will bring here as they have good
supporters as well, who travel to all their games,"
With such high levels of self-belief among the Ajax
side, preventing them from settling into their stride
must be a priority, Give them time and space and they
will flourish,
"We have to put them under pressure as they like
to play football and we shouldn't let that happen,"
explained Boerrigter, "We should be putting pressure
on in every position so they can't play the possession
game that they want to play, and then force them to
play long balls because they aren't as good at that."
Despite excellent displays in their opening two
matches against AC Milan and Barcelona, Celtic have
failed to get off the mark in their UEFA Champions
League group, leaving Boerrigter is no doubt at
FRIENDS
REUNITED
Celtic v Ajax 27
