Regi Blinker is a familiar name for fans of both Feyenoord and Celtic.
Albeit for fairly different reasons. He made over 250 appearances for the Rotterdam club, earning three caps for the Netherlands in the process.
He later starred for Sheffield Wednesday in England, before being used in a part exchange deal which saw him brought to Celtic and Paolo Di Canio move the other way.
He struggled to live up to the standards set by the Italian in his three years at Celtic Park before returning to the Netherlands to finish his career.
With Feyenoord and the Hoops set to meet in the Europa League tonight, he previewed the clash between his two former sides.
Regi Blinker on Feyenoord vs Celtic
Blinker was recently named Team Developer of the Indonesian national side, which is currently enjoying an influx of Dutch dual-nationals.
Blinker was however born in Suriname, just as Oranje legend Clarence Seedorf was.
READ MORE: Henrik Larsson compares Wim Jansen with ‘demanding’ Martin O’Neill ahead of Feyenoord vs Celtic
Speaking to BBC Scotland, Blinker gave the Hoops the lowdown on his former side, warning of the ‘extra hurdle’ they are likely to face.
He said: “It’s a very big game, especially when you see that both teams have their own problems and their own situations.
“For Celtic, they haven’t won a lot of away games in Europe and Feyenoord now have lost three games in a row and also against opponents they should have beaten.
“It’s a very important one because I think even in the media they are saying Feyenoord might be in a very small crisis and van Persie doesn’t want to hear that at all.
“But I think Robin is the right person at the right place, there’s quite a lot of injuries at Feyenoord. This is an important game for both teams because they both need that win.
“This is a difficult one for every team that comes to Rotterdam.
“You’re playing against 12 men, the audience are the 12th man here. But the Celtic players should be used to a loud crowd.
“But here, the influence of the crowd is there and you can feel it, the players are motivated by it. But if it’s not going so well, you can feel that too. For Celtic it will be an extra hurdle.
“Celtic will also have to watch for Feyenoord’s attacking players.
“It’s great to have Celtic here in Rotterdam and obviously I am going to be there. It’ll be a very exciting game, especially with the pressure on it.
“I think the two teams are quite level to each other.”
Feyenoord’s key players for Celtic clash
Celtic fans know a thing or two about Japanese forwards, and Ayase Ueda will be one to watch in Rotterdam.
Signed by Feyenoord for £7.8 million, he has scored 13 goals in 13 games in the Eredivisie this season – but has failed to score in the Europa League.
Winger Anis Hadji Moussa and midfielder Quinten Timber have both been linked with moves to Europe’s top five leagues, but this is a Feyenoord squad missing several key players to injuries.
This list includes In-Beom Hwang, a midfielder once linked with Celtic. Striker Casper Tengstedt was also once targeted by the Hoops.
How many players can you name who have played for Celtic and Feyenoord?
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
