Feyenoord boss Robin van Persie was asked his thoughts about Celtic supporters and their problems with the Parkhead board.
Celtic face Feyenoord in Rotterdam on matchday five of the Europa League where both teams will be hoping for a positive result to keep their Europa League qualification hopes alive.
Celtic are one point ahead of the Dutch side in the league table and a win would thrust them right back into the mix for at least a play-off place.
However, off-field issues with Celtic fans and the board are overshadowing today’s early-evening kick-off and Feyenoord boss van Persie was asked about that in his pre-match press conference.
Robin van Persie hopes ‘beautiful’ Celtic get back to their best but on one condition
The Feyenoord boss was part of the Arsenal squad that knocked Celtic out of the Champions League in August 2009 and here, van Persie wants to see the Parkhead club get back to its best.
Van Persie told the assembled press conference via Superscoreboard, “As a coach and as a team, you are focused on your daily routine and your training sessions and your games, and you go from game to game to game.
What would your starting XI look like against Feyenoord?
“And so, if I look back at challenging periods during my time as a player, it didn’t really affect me, because as a player, you were focused on on your job, basically.
“And as a coach, that is the same so, but that is very personal. Every coach, every player is dealing with that stuff the way he feels is best. I can’t really judge that, because I don’t really know how it is.
“So from that point of view, I hope Celtic will get back to their best. Well, not tomorrow. But besides tomorrow, Celtic is a beautiful football club with really passionate supporters, and a really clear way of playing.
“So hopefully, they get back to the best again after tomorrow.”
What happens if Celtic beat Feyenoord in the Europa League
If Celtic win tonight in Rotterdam, and if results go their way elsewhere, then the Hoops could, in theory, move up to 15th place in the table.
Of course, Celtic would have to hope that teams like Nottingham Forest, Fenerbahce and Roma (who play Rangers at Ibrox) all lose.
It seems unlikely but Celtic’s campaign, although it has got off to not a great start, could have new life breathed into it in Rotterdam tonight.
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