GEORGIOS
CAN BE A
KEY BHOY
NATIONAL
TEAM'S DUTCH
OF CLASS
INTERVIEW
B "It just takes time to recover and that's
the biggest problem but I will eventually
get there and be back playing games.
"I have almost never been injured,"
he added, "I have only had one serious
injury and that was my back injury, You
can check it - every team I played for
in every season I always played more
than 30 games. So my body is good and
fit, except for now as I got that kick on it
which I can't help.
"It will be really hard but I am trying to
get there, and here at Celtic, I am in good
hands and they are trying to get me fit as
soon as possible.
"It's my old club and my old
team-mates and it's also the UEFA
Champions League, and you really want
to play that game and be fit,
"Every game I miss is a big
disappointment as I played football
because I love it. I want to play as many
games as I can. So I don't want to miss
any game,"
With the loss of several key
individuals, such as Christian Eriksen and
Toby Alderweireld, and a number of new
recruits, Ajax's indifferent start to the
season was perhaps understandable,
However, ominously, they have
started to hit some form in recent weeks,
emphatically dispatching Go Ahead
Eagles and Utrecht in the Eredivise
to remain hot on the heels of early
pacesetters, FC Twente and PSV.
"When I was back in Amsterdam I only
saw my friends and family and never
spoke to a fan or anything so I am not
sure what the feeling is out there about
the game," said Boerrigter.
"But those were good results, before
that they had some bad ones, but Frank
De Boer is a coach who likes to play
football and he brings players in who
likes to play his game,
"Eventually the players will
understand what he is trying to do with
his team and they will play the way he
wants them to, It takes time for new
players but eventually he will get them
settled and play well for him."
"I played under him for two years and
he's a good coach," he added. "He always
wants to play football, He hates shooting
balls away to nowhere and always
wants to try and figure out the best
way to defeat an opponent - and that's
always by football and not a long ball for
example,
"He's straight to the point and if he
likes you he will say it but if you do
something wrong he will also say it."
Dutch internationalist and club
captain, Siem de Jong, is one significant
survivor from last season and he can
be an inspiring presence according to
Boerrigter,
"He is the captain of the team and
is a really dangerous player," the Celtic
winger explained. "He's good with the
head and feet, has good control and can
score from all kinds of distances, He is
strong and is also a good dribbler so we
will have to look out for him,"
Lerin Duarte, brought in from
FC Heracles to replace the influential
Eriksen, could start alongside him in
midfield and he has caught the eye in
some of his early showings for Ajax.
"If I watch Ajax, it's only highlights,
so for the most part you only see the
strikers as they get the most chances,"
added Boerrigter. "But so far, I have heard
good stories about him so I think he's
doing well there, He's a good player and
plays a bit like Christian Eriksen."
The Dutchman is looking forward to
catching up with his former colleagues,
especially his good friend Finnish
defender, Niklas Moisander, and he has
warned them to expect something
special in Paradise,
"I know everybody there, and Niklas
is a good player and a good guy and I am
looking forward to seeing him and the
other players in the team," he said.
"The supporters, especially at home
games in the Champions League,
are amazing, I have never seen an
atmosphere like that before. It's just
crazy, It can make a big difference.
"For the opponent it can be
intimidating. I have already told some of
them - when you come to Celtic you are
going to see something amazing,
"Like I said before, if the supporters
can cheer us on like that, they are like a
12th man in the game - so it will be 12
against 11,1 love it and 1 can't wait to see
them cheering again,"
DERK Boerrigter has been impressed by
Georgios Samaras' displays in the European
arena and reckons the talismanic striker can
be a big player for Celtic once again tonight
against Ajax.
But the Dutchman says it would unwise
for the Frank De Boer's side to concentrate
solely on the Greek internationalist as he
believes there are many match-winners in
the Hoops side.
"He's a great player, very technical and
skilful and has the ability to score so he
can be an important player for us," said
Boerrigter. "But I think we have other
players who can be important in the UEFA
Champions League as we have a good
squad here."
DERK Boerrigter is a dedicated supporter of
the Dutch national side and he took in their
recent 8-1 thrashing of Hungary whilst back
in Amsterdam during the international break.
The Netherlands had already sealed their
spot in next summer's World Cup finals but
turned on the style in front of their own fans.
It was a special night for Robin Van Persie
who bagged a hat-trick to see him overtake
Patrick Kluivert and become his country's
highest scorer.
And Boerrigter is hopeful they can maintain
this swashbuckling form in Brazil and make a
push to become world champions.
"I watched the game live in the Amderstam
ArenA and I really enjoyed it," said the Celtic
winger.
"This game was amazing and the team
played really well. Some of the goals were
really beautiful as well. Everybody played really
well.
"I don't how the English word for it but
the French would say "Vive le France" and I
would say the same for Holland.
"I always cheer for my country and I hope
they can do well in Brazil and hopefully
become world champions. It is possible, of
course, but there are many other strong
countries."
Celtic v Ajax 31
