JAN VENNEGOOR OF HESSELINK introduced himself to the Celtic fans by coming off the substitutes’ bench and, within minutes, scoring the equaliser in a 2-1 comeback win over Hibs at Parkhead on August 26 2006.
The Dutch striker had sealed his £3.4million from PSV Eindhoven just two days beforehand and certainly made the right first impression with the Hoops support.
Just to prove it was no fluke, the extravagantly-named international frontman repeated the feat with the only goal of the game against Aberdeen a fortnight later.
Vennegoor of Hesselink also netted on his Champions League debut for Gordon Strachan’s side against Manchester United at Old Trafford on September 13 in a tie where the hosts were extremely fortunate to win 3-2.
ROARING SUCCESS…Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink celebrates one of his 44 Celtic goals.
The powerhouse attacker took the spotlight again with a sizzling hat-trick against St Mirren at the turn of the year. On January 28, he claimed the a last-minute winner against Inverness Caley Thistle in the Highlands – and was dismissed after picking up a second yellow card for celebrating with the fans!
Injuries interrupted his debut campaign, but he still finished with 18 goals and a league title and a Scottish Cup medal to show for his efforts.
He kicked off his second term in Glasgow with five goals in the first six league games and, despite nagging injuries, continued to be a threat as the season rolled on and he claimed his first derby goal against Rangers on April 16 at Parkhead with a memorable diving header in injury-time to give the hosts a 2-1 triumph.
Many fans rated that effort as being pivotal in the club’s resurgence in the title race and it was the giant Dutchman who claimed the goal that clinched the championship with a towering header against Dundee United at Tannadice on May 22 2008.
It was Vennegoor of Hesselink’s 20th goal of the season and rounded off another successful crusade for the player and the club.
Celtic stumbled through the forward’s third and final season at the club and only had a League Cup victory – beating Rangers 2-0 in the Final – to celebrate.
Vennegoor of Hesselink was sidelined with persistent injury problems and missed over three months of the campaign and there was little doubt the club missed his presence and goals.
He left the club at the end of his contract and signed off with a memorable farewell quote.
TITLE TAKE-OFF…Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink soars above friend and foe to head in the championship winner against Dundee United at Tannadice in May 2008.
The charismatic hitman said: “Celtic is far more than a football club. The traditions, the history, the warmth – you have to experience it every day to really understand this.”
Vennegoor of Hesselink joined top-flight Hull City in September 2009 and left a year later.
As a free agent, he signed for Austrian club Rapid Vienna in a two-year deal in August 2010. Unfortunately, his apearances were curtailed through injury and, following a muscle rupture in May, his contract was terminated the following month.
He made a brief return to PSV in November 2011, but four months later announced his retirement from playing.
Vennegoor of Hesselink scored 44 goals in 108 outings for Celtic and had a career total of 214 strikes in 549 games. He also claimed three in 19 international appearances.
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