A
Celtic have two players in their squad who could be
facing their fellow countrymen tonight while a number
of Dutchmen have made memorable contributions to
the Hoops over the past few years
ér
PIERRE VAN HOOIJDONK
1995-97
92 appearances; 56 goals
The striker was signed for Celtic
by Tommy Burns in January 1995,
joining from Dutch side NAC Breda,
And he became an instant hit with
the Celtic support when he scored
a spectacular free-kick on his debut
against Hearts in a league game
at Celtic's temporary Hampden
home. Four months later, he wrote
himself into the history books
when he headed home the only
goal of the game in the Scottish
Cup final against Airdrie to give
the Hoops their first trophy is six
years, Part of the infamous 'three
amigos' triumvirate along with Jorge
Cadete and Paolo Di Canio, big Pierre
left Celtic in 1997 in controversial
circumstance in a dispute over
wages, and controversy followed
him down south to Nottingham
Forest. A Dutch internationalist,
van Hooijdonk remains a popular
figure with supporters, and retains a
strong affection for the Hoops.
REGI BLINKER
1997-2000
69 appearances; 12 goals
The winger arrived at Celtic in
August 1997, part of the deal which
saw Paolo Di Canio move to Sheffield
Wednesday, and though he showed
some flashes of the skill which won
him three caps for Holland, Blinker
was often a frustrating figure in the
Hoops, Fans would sometimes later
refer to players having a poor game
with the words 'He's having a Regi,'
To be fair to Blinker, he was part of
Wim Jansen's Celtic squad which
won the League title in 1998, thus
'stopping the 10', and he also picked
up a League Cup winner's medal
that season, He left the club in
2000, returning home to Holland.
1/MnHO
DMBRO
THEDUTCHCONNION
40 Celtic v Ajax
