Wim Jansen – An icon in Celtic folklore

The Celtic Star

·14 octobre 2024

Wim Jansen – An icon in Celtic folklore

Wim Jansen. An icon in Celtic folklore…

Former Celtic manager Wim Jansen. Photo Imago (The Celtic Star)

Wim Jansen was appointed as Celtic manager back in the summer of 1997. The Dutchman couldn’t have arrived at a more difficult time as the club was in something of an upheaval after the dismissal of Tommy Burns, not to mention an all important campaign approaching. One of the most important in Celtic history.

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Rangers were doing what they did best under David Murray and that was spending money they didn’t have. They already had a strong squad and Minty’s obsession with conquering Europe meant he was writing more and more cheques in his bid for domination. Indeed within a few years the reckless spending went off the scale and there was only ever going to be one outcome. RIP Rangers FC.

When Wim arrived Pierre Van Hoojidonk had already been sold, while Jorge Cadete was about to follow him, and major doubts were raised regarding the future of Paulo Di Canio.

26 August 1997: Wim Jansen, the Celtic manager watching his side during the UEFA Cup Preliminary round second leg match against Tirol Innsbruck at Celtic Park Celtic won 6-3 on the night and 7-5 on aggregate. Photo: Stu Forster /Allsport

The side was in need of major changes and with such an important season ahead it was imperative Celtic got new faces in the door as soon as possible.

Jonathan Gould, Darren Jackson, Craig Burley, Stephane Mahe, and Henrik Larsson all arrived as Wim bolstered his squad. Regi Blinker also arrived in a deal that saw Paulo Di Canio being ‘traded’ so heading in the opposite direction.

Things looked bleak after the first two game as we sat bottom of the table after two consecutive defeats. The new players were predictably taking time to gel, but this wasn’t the time for a learning curve.

But Wim being the experienced coach he was soon had the team up and running as we got our act together and battled for the title alongside Rangers, and surprise package Hearts.

Marc Rieper joined to strengthen a fragile defence, and Paul Lambert was signed to add more experience and steel to our midfield. Harald Bratbakk also joined to give us more goal threat up front as the title challenge got serious.

We won the League Cup Final in November, easily beating Dundee United at Ibrox of all places. That win was not only our first success in that competition for 15 years, it was also a catalyst for the players to believe that that they could win the title. Younger Celtic Supporters take note, imagine having to wait a decade and a half for a League Cup final victory.

Henrik Larsson and Wim Jansen celebrate winning the league and stopping their ten. Photo Imago (The Celtic Star)

A crucial Old Firm win at Celtic Park in the New Year fixture was also a vital moment in the campaign, and the players never looked back.

What seemed impossible back in the summer was reality in May. We won the title on the last day of the season after one of the most agonising seasons in living memory. It was sheer torture, and when we celebrated it was a mixture of both relief and joy.

IMAGO / ANP ROTTERDAM – Celtic coach Brendan Rodgers and Joe Hart look at a photo of Wim Jansen. Jansen has also been Celtic s coach. During a press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz in De Kuip, Scottish Celtic FC looks ahead to the first match in the group stage of the Champions League against Feyenoord. ANP OLAF KRAAK – VI ANP Sport

The players of course played their part, but our success was in a massive way down to Wim Jansen himself. He was ridiculed when he arrived with even some Celtic supporters doubting him.

But Wim delivered what we all wanted, but unfortunately left shortly afterwards. His reign may have been short, but he earned his place in Celtic’s history, and will forever be an icon in Celtic folklore.

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