🟢 Celtic Legends vs Feyenoord Legends
⚽ The Wim Jansen Cup | 🏟️ De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands
🗓️ Sunday, October 12, 2025 | 🕛 Kick-off: 12:00 PM (BST)
🕊️ A Match Played in Memory: The Wim Jansen Cup
This afternoon in Rotterdam, football takes a pause from the relentless grind of league tables, transfer sagas, and VAR controversy to honour a man who meant the world to two clubs — Wim Jansen. The Wim Jansen Cup is more than a legends match. It’s a heartfelt tribute to a man whose footballing journey spanned decades, continents, and two of European football’s proudest clubs: Feyenoord and Celtic.
Jansen was not just a fine player — a World Cup finalist with the Netherlands in 1974 and a multiple Eredivisie and KNVB Cup winner with Feyenoord — he was also the man who, in just one year at Celtic Park, achieved the almost impossible: he stopped Rangers’ march to 10-in-a-row in 1997–98. That season remains one of the most emotionally charged in Celtic history, and Jansen — cool, understated, and astute — guided the Hoops to a league title that restored belief and identity at a club that was drifting.
Today’s fixture brings together legends from both sides of Jansen’s remarkable journey, played at De Kuip, a stadium steeped in Dutch football folklore.
🍀 The Celtic Legends Line-Up: Familiar Faces, Fresh Smiles
While some of these players have been retired for over a decade, their names still echo around Celtic Park. Whether they were central to an era of dominance or cult heroes remembered for a single, iconic moment, they each represent a thread in Celtic’s rich footballing tapestry.
Here’s how the Bhoys line up today:
🔐 Goalkeeper: Artur Boruc
There was only ever going to be one man in goal for this kind of occasion. The Holy Goalie, Artur Boruc, remains a fan favourite and an icon of the Gordon Strachan era. From his penalty saves against Spartak Moscow to his unforgettable celebrations, Boruc was as charismatic as he was talented. Even in retirement, you suspect he’ll still command his box with authority, intensity, and a little bit of madness.
🛡️ Defensive Trio: Charlie Mulgrew – Glenn Loovens – Kelvin Wilson
Celtic’s back three for this match mixes flair, strength, and continental experience.
Charlie Mulgrew: A player who returned to Celtic after time in England and blossomed under Neil Lennon. His cultured left foot and dead-ball prowess made him a standout in a versatile role across defence and midfield.
Glenn Loovens: The Dutch defender returns to familiar soil, bringing composure and aerial presence. He served Celtic loyally between 2008 and 2012, and his inclusion here carries added sentiment given his Dutch heritage.
Kelvin Wilson: A key component of the defence that helped Celtic to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League in 2012–13. Calm under pressure and quick across the turf, Wilson was a modern centre-half with real pedigree.
🏃♂️ Wingbacks: Cristian Gamboa & Jonny Hayes
Cristian Gamboa: Perhaps the most surprising name in the line-up, the Costa Rican right-back was a fleeting presence during his spell at Celtic. Though he never truly established himself, legends matches allow for fresh context — and a light-hearted look back.
Jonny Hayes: Versatile, industrious, and always up for a scrap, Hayes was a utility man under Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon. His never-say-die attitude earned him quiet respect among supporters.
⚔️ Midfield Generalship: Scott Brown (c) & Stiliyan Petrov
Scott Brown: The captain. The warrior. The heartbeat of Celtic for over 14 years. Broony leads the Legends just as he led the first team — with aggression, passion, and sheer willpower. Even in a friendly, you wouldn’t bet against him flying into a tackle or barking out orders.
Stiliyan Petrov: His return to a Celtic shirt always stirs the soul. Having overcome leukaemia with extraordinary courage and grace, Petrov’s mere presence is a victory. On the pitch, his intelligence, control, and leadership made him one of the club’s best midfielders of the 2000s.
Together, this midfield pairing offers steel, skill, and sentiment — a fitting spine for a game of such emotional weight.
🎯 Forward Line: Scott McDonald – Derek Riordan – Georgios Samaras
An intriguing trio that mixes poaching instinct, unrealized potential, and enigmatic brilliance.
Scott McDonald: The Aussie hitman loved a big moment — none bigger than his title-deciding goal against Rangers in 2008. Compact, clinical, and tenacious, McDonald was a nightmare for defenders in his prime.
Derek Riordan: A talent who never quite fulfilled the promise many saw in him at Hibernian. His time at Celtic was mixed, but this match gives him the freedom to enjoy the shirt without the pressure.
Georgios Samaras: The ultimate wild card. Samaras could frustrate and thrill in equal measure — but on his day, he was unplayable. His performances in Europe, especially the Champions League nights under Neil Lennon, remain iconic.
🔄 Bench: Experience and Flair Galore
Łukasz Załuska – Steady, supportive backup to Boruc in years past.
Efe Ambrose – Cult hero. Sometimes brilliant, sometimes baffling, always entertaining.
Bobby Petta – A silky winger from the O’Neill era. Pace and flair.
Lee Naylor – Left-back who rarely let the side down.
Ross Wallace – Young talent from the early 2000s, with a sweet left foot.
Barry Robson – Made an unforgettable debut vs Barcelona in 2008. Tenacious and goal-scoring.
Simon Donnelly – Part of the “Tommy Burns team” of the 90s, remembered fondly for creativity and versatility.
Pierre van Hooijdonk – The Dutch talisman will start for Feyenoord but is also due to play for Celtic later in the match — a symbolic nod to his lasting legacy on both sides of this unique footballing friendship.
🤝 Two Clubs, One Spirit
While this match will be filled with banter, nostalgia, and slowed-down passes, it’s also a testament to the enduring respect between Feyenoord and Celtic. The bond goes beyond Wim Jansen. It includes shared players, mutual respect, and footballing philosophies that favour attacking play, passionate support, and community connection.
Jansen’s influence stretched far beyond his one season in Glasgow. He laid the groundwork for a new era — signing Henrik Larsson, instilling tactical discipline, and ending an era of Rangers’ domestic dominance.
Today’s fixture is a chance to say thank you.
🔍 A Deeper Look at the Occasion
Venue: De Kuip is one of Europe’s classic football stadiums. Atmospheric, steeped in history, and the perfect host for a celebration of football’s past.
Opposition: Feyenoord will field a number of former Eredivisie stars and club legends — including Pierre van Hooijdonk, who will swap teams at some point in the game.
Atmosphere: Expect a party mood, but with a layer of reverence. Jansen was loved in Rotterdam and admired in Glasgow. The crowd will be vocal, warm, and full of smiles.
🧠 Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Match
Football often moves too fast. Managers come and go. Players fade. Trophies get replaced. But the emotions, the heroes, and the memories endure.
Today’s Wim Jansen Cup is a pause button. It’s a reminder of where we’ve come from. Of who helped build the foundations of modern Celtic. Of those who gave their all for the badge — in quiet dignity or glorious flair.
So here’s to Artur, to Broony, to Petrov, to Pierre, to Wim.
To the Hoops of yesterday, and the hearts they still touch today.
🍀 Hail Hail.