Feyenoord finally returns to the Champions League on Tuesday evening. In De Kuip, the reigning national champions will face Celtic, who won the Scottish title last season. Bee the Bhoys A lot has happened this summer as manager Brendan Rodgers returned to take the place of the successful Ange Postecoglou. In conversation with Football zone former Celtic goalkeeper Dorus de Vries, who played for years under Rodgers, looks ahead to the meeting between Feyenoord and Celtic.
By Wessel Antes
The now 42-year-old De Vries ended his long professional career in 2019. The Beverwijker spent the last years of his career in Glasgow, as goalkeeper for the great Celtic. De Vries still looks back on his Scottish adventure with warm feelings. “That time was great. I was already in the twilight of my career, so to still be able to play for Celtic is wonderful. Celtic are one of the most iconic clubs in the world. In terms of support, history and home base. The great thing is that the fans continue to honor their heroes from the past. People still talk about the final of the European Cup 1 in 1967. Everywhere I went I felt that the club is special, but especially during European nights at Celtic Park. They are second to none.”
A worthy participation in the Champions League is important for Celtic supporters, says De Vries. “Those evenings are very lively in the city. People really live for the Champions League and see it as a dessert. Celtic must always win everything at national level, but they must also deliver at European level. It is a celebration for the fans every year when the biggest clubs in the world come to visit. They also travel in large numbers to away matches. The Celtic fans are always verbally present in the stadium.” With Celtic, De Vries became national champion three times, cup winner three times and won the Scottish League Cup twice.
De Vries, who will also be present in De Kuip, expects a lot from Celtic fans. “I’m looking forward to seeing Celtic and the supporters back in action. That’s just fun. If I could give Feyenoord fans a tip, I would advise them to go to Glasgow for the away match. Glasgow is a great football city and is perfect for these types of outings. If you get the chance to have one European Night experience at Celtic Park, you should always do that. You certainly won’t regret it!”
De Vries with striker Moussa Dembélé after winning the Old Firm in 2016.
The former youth international of the Dutch national team played a total of fifteen official matches for Celtic. De Vries was once allowed to play in a Champions League match. On September 13, 2016, the goalkeeper was behind the crossbar against FC Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou. Celtic lost no less than 7-0 due to goals from Lionel Messi (3x), Luis Suárez (2x), Neymar and Andrés Iniesta, making it an evening of mixed feelings for De Vries. He can say that he played against one of Barça’s most legendary teams ever.
“Nice of you to start talking about that again, man. It was just fun and then you have to come back to that,” says De Vries, laughing. “No, in retrospect I can of course just say that it was a special evening. The difference in quality between Barcelona and Celtic was simply enormous at the time. Still, playing in the Champions League was very special for me, especially in my old age at a wonderful club like Celtic. On the evening itself you are absolutely disappointed with the result, but now I am proud that I stood there against, in my opinion, the best player ever. I am grateful that I was able to experience that in my career. The Champions League is of course magical for every football fan.”
De Vries thinks that Feyenoord’s players will enjoy their first Champions League evening. “When that tunnel opens and the Champions League Anthem plays, you will feel it through your whole body. Moments like that are just special, it felt like I was called up to the Dutch national team as a youth player and the Wilhelmus was taking place.” De Vries has no relics from the meeting with Messi. “Are you crazy? At that moment you are still completely absorbed in the emotion of the match. Then it is beyond my honor to ask someone for a shirt. I don’t think that’s okay, but that will be my personal opinion.” During the home game against Barcelona (0-2), De Vries was on the bench. Afterwards he exchanged shirts with fellow countryman Jasper Cillessen.
His old club Celtic still follows De Vries. “But I actually do that with all the clubs I have played at.” During his career, De Vries played for Telstar, ADO Den Haag, Dunfermline Athletic FC, Swansea City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest and Celtic. “How is the club doing compared to my time in Glasgow? That is difficult to estimate. At that time we were very successful, because we won almost everything. Celtic were supreme and had a great coach in front of the group. The fact that he is now back at Celtic Park is only good for the club.” De Vries’ words are in line with the current form of Celtic, which is at the top after five league matches with four points more than Rangers.
De Vries is very charmed by Rodgers as a trainer. “I’m sure he still has the same drive and passion to achieve as much as he can with Celtic. He wants to at least equal what he achieved in his previous term. Expectations are high among the fans in Glasgow, but that is normal for a club of this caliber. Brendan’s predecessor Ange (Postecoglou, ed.) also did very well, which is why he was able to make the step to Tottenham Hotspur. However, I also think that Brendan has been able to develop well at Leicester City in recent years. Unfortunately, the last year was less successful, but he also won two trophies there and played good football. I think his return will have a hugely positive impact on the Celtic club.”
Messi managed to outwit De Vries three times in Barcelona.
Feyenoord
De Vries liked that Celtic and Feyenoord were paired together during the group stage draw. “What I like about the match between Celtic and Feyenoord is that there is quite a strong connection between both clubs. Wim Jansen has delivered great performances there in the past as a trainer and Henrik Larsson is an absolute legend among Celtic supporters, they even call him the King of Glasgow. Things like that give such a poster something extra. In any case, I think it is great for Dutch football to see Feyenoord back in the Champions League, which they deservedly achieved last season. I’m looking forward to a nice pot.”
Anyone who thinks that Celtic will entrench themselves in De Kuip is wrong, according to De Vries. “Brendan is very convinced of his group of players, he does not come to De Kuip just to defend against Feyenoord. He always believes in the quality of his player material and wants to play well-groomed football. Burrowing is not in his system, the football has to flow. Celtic will certainly look to attack if possible, so I think it will be a fun and open match. Brendan will recognize Feyenoord’s qualities, but does not shy away from a challenge. He will certainly pass that on to his players.”
De Kuip will have no influence on Celtic’s field play, De Vries thinks. “No, because as a Celtic player you are used to playing at Celtic Park. Nothing against De Kuip, because that is a fantastic stadium, but those guys are used to something. If you can play an Old Firm, you can also hold your own against Feyenoord in De Kuip. Of course, it is just a wonderful outing for those men, because De Kuip is also magical on European evenings. These are the matches you want to play as a player.”
Celtic have a well-known name under the bar with 36-year-old Joe Hart. Remarkably, the 75-time England international opted for a transfer to the Scottish Premiership in the summer of 2021. “I enjoyed seeing a goalkeeper with so many caps for the England national team choose Celtic. He has won the Premier League and knows the tricks of the trade. Joe is full of dedication in the goal and has a lot of passion for the game. With his athleticism at this age he is still a fantastic goalkeeper for Celtic. I think he can still make things difficult for Feyenoord in De Kuip.”
De Vries is impressed with Hart as Celtic’s goalkeeper.
De Vries does not dare to make hard predictions, as he is a fan of Arne Slot’s working method at Feyenoord. “Everyone knows that he is a good trainer, so it will be interesting to see how Slot will do with Feyenoord in the Champions League. If he succeeds at this level, he will eventually become untenable for the club. I’m really looking forward to the match between Feyenoord and Celtic, because I have high regard for both coaches. The supporters are the big winners. Anything can happen on European evenings, because there is still some extra excitement involved. I expect very attacking football from both teams.”
De Vries thinks that it is an immediately important meeting for both clubs, as Atlético Madrid and Lazio are the other two strong opponents. “If you want to continue in the Champions League, you actually have to win this match, especially Feyenoord of course at home. That also makes the competition extra interesting. What do I hope? I hope for Brendan that he will do well because I think highly of him, so I wish him that success. On the other hand, I just think Feyenoord is a beautiful club. Many of my friends are supporters, so I wish them the same. Personally, I especially hope for a great match and a wonderful football atmosphere.”
De Vries himself will be present in South Rotterdam on Tuesday evening. He arranged the tickets through his former employer. “There’s a good chance I’ll drop by. I just asked the club if it was possible to get a ticket, so I hope to get an answer soon. Then I’ll just sit down and enjoy it for a while? Who am I going to cheer for? Of course it is in De Kuip, but for Celtic. I have a history there and know a number of players from the selection who I really wish. I also have a good relationship with Brendan, so I hope he can bring about another successful spell as manager of Celtic. A good result in De Kuip can help with this!”