Giovanni van Bronckhorst Sends Message to Feyenoord Stars Before Celtic Game
Celtic are ready to start their 2023/24 Champions League group stage campaign with a trip to the Netherlands. Brendan Rodgers' team will take on Feyenoord away at De Kuip in their opening game.
The two teams have a storied history. They faced each other in the final of the European Cup back in 1970, with the Dutch side stopping Jock Stein's Bhoys from winning the competition for the second time.
Feyenoord are the reigning champions of Eredivisie and they won 6-1 at the weekend. So, it will not be an easy task for Celtic to travel to De Kuip and get a result.
One man who has both played for and managed Feyenoord is Giovanni van Bronckhorst. And the Dutchman had a message for the players ahead of their Champions League opener.
According to the Dutch club's website, Van Bronckhorst said in the new Feyenoord Magazine that will be published later this week:
"I can still see myself walking, before that match in Turin, during a city walk with the Feyenoord squad.
"Spontaneously, the images shot through my head of myself as an up-and-coming talent, sitting in front of the TV when FC Barcelona won the European Cup in 1992 thanks to that long-range shot from Ronald Koeman. I saw myself sitting again in those moments when the Dreamteam once again lived up to its name. And now, a September evening in 1997, I was about to make my debut at the highest club level. Believe me, that does something to you as a young player.
"As a matter of course, I remember the feeling that shot through me a few hours before that game at Stadio Delle Alpi. Excitement, excitement, but above all the feeling of being very much looking forward to it. Although I knew I would be thrown in at the deep end there, against all those big Juve names, I was also quite relaxed. I said to myself, 'This is what you've always wanted.' Then you also have to be there. I think that's exactly the way Feyenoord's players should go into the Champions League games this season. Feel the confidence, have the faith that you can compete at that level. After all, you don't play for the champion of the Netherlands for nothing. Enjoy, be proud when you hear the anthem of the Champions League, but don't be too impressed by all the big stars you're going to meet."
Of course, Celtic will be very familiar with Van Bronckhorst. He played for Rangers from 1998 to 2001.
He was also the manager of the club not too long ago. During his time at Ibrox, he guided Rangers to a Scottish Cup win and also guided them to the UEFA Europa League final.
Van Bronckhorst's team would struggle the following season though and he was sacked midway through the campaign, and replaced by Michael Beale.
Of course, things have not gone much better for Beale either. In fact, Van Bronckhorst did a much better job in Glasgow than he has until now.
