The demise of Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink
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
Financially most of the players will be better off with Scott McDonald and Gary Caldwell making moves that will secure themselves financially for life.
Like Vennegoor of Hesselink, Barry Robson, Paul Hartley and Shunsuke Nakamura are in the final seasons of their contract while others like Cillian Sheridan, Darren O’Dea and Mark Wilson attempt to translate their youthful promise into meaningful careers.
Four or five years seems to be the maximum shelf life for Celtic players these days.
ARTUR BORUC: Kicking his heels and frustrations on the bench at Fiorentina. Still waiting to make his debut following his £2m switch from Celtic
ANDREAS HINKEL: Currently preparing for surgery on his cruciate ligament injury picked up in training. Unlikely to play again for Celtic with his contract expiring at the end of the season
GARY CALDWELL: Still waiting for his first game of the season following end of season surgery on a hip injury. Left Celtic in January and appointed Wigan captain during the close season
STEPHEN MCMANUS: Completed a permanent transfer to Middlesbrough during the summer following a loan spell last season. Scotland matchwinner in recent match with Lichtenstein.
LEE NAYLOR: Regular left-back at Cardiff after leaving Celtic on a Bosman. Enjoyed a late flourish to his Celtic career despite the arrivals of Danny Fox and Edson Braffheid.
SHUNSUKE NAKAMURA: Where did it all go wrong? A tame end to his Celtic career, failed to make an impact at Espanyol and now back home at Yokohama Marinos.
PAUL HARTLEY: A similar career to Vennegoor of Hesselink. Not retained by Tony Mowbray, turned down a return to Hearts to captain Aberdeen after a season with Bristol City.
BARRY ROBSON: A hero of the league winning season, he never found favour with Tony Mowbray and has been Strachan’s best signing at Middlesbrough.
AIDEN MCGEADY: Career is on an upward path, two season’s of frustrations at Celtic but looks to be settling and impressing with Spartak Moscow following £9.5m summer move.
SCOTT MCDONALD: Became a one man strike force at Celtic and another not favoured by Tony Mowbray. Disappointed to miss the World Cup and yet to become prolific at Middlesbrough.
JAN VENEGOOR OF HESSELINK: Never got close to recapturing the vital goalscoring run of 2008. Scored three times for as Hull City were relegated before joining Rapid Vienna.
SUBSTITUTES:
GEORGIOS SAMARAS: Continuing to be an enigma. Found fabour with both Tony Mowbray and Neil Lennon but unlikely to be around beyond this season despite reports of contract talks.
SCOTT BROWN: Appointed captain by Tony Mowbray and retains that role under Neil Lennon. Under pressure to retain his Celtic place despite reported interest from Serie A.
MARK WILSON: Currently back to full fitness but still waiting to put together a consistent run in the Celtic side.
CILLIAN SHERIDAN: The wanderer. After loan spells at Motherwell, Plymouth and St Johnstone he joined CSKA Sofia for £300,000 this summer. Has gained three full international caps.
MARK BROWN: An unconvincing deputy for Boruc. Joined Hibs halfway through last season but has yet to establish his place in John Hughes side.
MASSIMO DONATI: Sold by Tony Mowbray to Bari for £1m after an impressive start to last season. In and out of the Bari side so far this season.
DARREN O’DEA: Still no closer to the Celtic place he desires. A Hampden hero of the 2009 Coperative Cup win over Rangers, currently on loan at Ipswich after a spell last season at Reading.
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