Henrik Larsson explains the surprise reason why Feyenoord legend Wim Jansen was a success at Celtic

Add as preferred source on Google

Wim Jansen only spent one season at Celtic but will forever be remembered as the man that stopped Rangers from winning 10 in a row.

It is poignant to talk about Jansen as Celtic prepare to face Feyenoord in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Loved by both clubs, the Dutchman’s legacy will no doubt be honoured in some capacity at De Kuip.

One of his best bits of business was to bring Henrik Larsson to Parkhead from Feyenoord, and the rest is history.

That first season saw the Hoops win the league, but Larsson believes that there was a secret reason why Jansen helped to inspire a famous league win.

• READ MORE: Five facts to know about Feyenoord before Celtic’s Europa League visit

Henrik Larsson praises the fearless attitude Wim Jansen instilled

Jansen was dealt a tricky hand when he arrived through the doors at Celtic Park. Despite being given a threadbare squad of 13-14 players, the Dutchman was forced to recruit heavily.

Despite the huge risk, the gamble paid off and the Hoops went on to win the league and Larsson thinks that the lack of knowledge about how important it was to stopping Rangers played into their favour.

In Jansen’s biography, Meesterbrein, the Celtic legend said: “The preparation for that season was chaotic. Wim only had 13 or 14 players when he started.

“The guys had never experienced a trainer like Wim before. He was always so calm and you could speak to him about anything. Everyone wants to work hard for a man like that.

“But we had so many new players that it took time. And you hardly ever get time in football. I could feel the pressure from the start. Every day.

“Rangers were going for a 10th successive title and we knew that couldn’t happen. Every Celtic fan who spoke to me told me how important that was. So you knew, if you don’t stop Rangers this year, it’s over.

“In that respect, it was an advantage there were so many new players. They had no affinity with the Old Firm yet. The rivalry with Rangers was less deep.

“As a result, they were better able to handle the stress. Because if you had known then what you know now, that team wouldn’t have made it. And then we can count ourselves lucky that there was no social media at that time.”