Following the fortunes of former Celtic players is certainly varied with plenty of recent departures to keep tabs on.
From the Celtic team that won the title at Tannadice in May 2008 only four players remain on Celtic’s books- Andreas Hinkel, Mark Wilson, Gorgios Samaras and Scott Brown.
Gordon Strachan’s title winners have been scattered around the footballing globe and can now be found in Italy, Russia, Bulgaria, Wigan and of course Middlesbrough.
The hero of heroes that night was Jan Venegoor of Hesselink delivering the 72nd minute header that sealed the title whilst Rangers lost at Aberdeen despite having the SPL season extended for their benefit.
Like many of the players that night Venegoor of Hesselink’s career has nose dived since that spring night on Tayside culminating in a transfer to Rapid Vienna at the end of the latest transfer window.
Wolves were amongst some Premiership strugglers interested in signing the Dutch striker with a move to Feyenoord strongly rumoured in Holland.
Flushed with the surprise transfer fee from Rangers for Nikica Jelavic, Rapid Vienna came in with an offer to meet the 31-year-old’s desire.
“I had several interesting offers from across Europe but only Rapid gave me and my family an instantly good feeling,” the striker claimed, no doubt with a nod towards his bank account and a fresh two year contract.
“The city and the club, with it’s traditions and incredible supporters, made my decision easy for me. I’m looking forward to this new, and hopefully successful, chapter in my career.”
The least said about Rapid and their ‘incredible’ supporters the better, 26 years on from the infamous Cup Winners Cup clashes there is still no feeling of forgiveness towards the Austrians.
Vennegoor of Hesselink made his Rapid debut last Sunday in the derby match with Austria Wien which Rapid lost 1-0.
The Dutchman lasted for an hour of that match before being substituted and was missing from last night’s 3-0 Europa League defeat away to Porto.
Rapid are currently sitting in sixth place in the ten team Austrian Bundesliga and face a cup tie away to Austria Wien reserves on Sunday.
Of the seventeen players listed at Tannadice only Aiden McGeady’s career could be said to have progressed.
THE LYNX EFFECT