When Celtic and Feyenoord cross paths, it's more than just a clash of clubs; it's a meeting of two former European champions with distinct footballing legacies.
Celtic FC, affectionately known as the Bhoys, can look back on the glory days of old when they reached the pinnacle of European football. In the 1966/67 season, under the stewardship of Jock Stein, Celtic achieved the unimaginable by lifting the European Cup, now celebrated as the UEFA Champions League. They were the first British team to secure this coveted trophy, beating Italian giants Inter Milan in the final.
Feyenoord, on the other hand, carries its own storied history. The Dutch giants have claimed numerous Eredivisie titles and cups. They, too, have tasted European glory, clinching the European Cup in the 1969/70 season, notably defeating Celtic in the final. Feyenoord later added two UEFA Cup titles to their trophy cabinet, in 1974 and 2002.
Despite their iconic European Cup victories, both Celtic and Feyenoord have encountered challenges on the European stage in recent years. Celtic, though still a dominant force domestically, has struggled to replicate the glory of their European triumph. Feyenoord, while consistently competitive in the Eredivisie, has faced similar hurdles in European competitions.
Celtic vs Feyenoord Head to Head
Celtic and Feyenoord were drawn together in Group E of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League. The Dutch club welcomed Celtic in their opening group game and ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Calvin Stengs and Alireza Jahanbakhsh.
It was Celtic and Feyenoord’s first meeting since the 1970 European Cup final, when Feyenoord came from behind to beat Celtic 2-1 in the San Siro after extra time. Ove Kindvall’s 117th minute goal broke Celtic hearts and secured Feyenoord’s only European Cup trophy.
Celtic vs Feyenoord Connections
Swedish striker Henrik Larsson is considered a club legend at Celtic FC, scoring 242 goals during his seven-year spell at Celtic Park. He was signed from Feyenoord in 1997 following a contract dispute with the Dutch club.
Another notable striker that connects Celtic and Feyenoord is Pierre van Hooijdonk. The free-kick specialist was a goal machine at both Parkhead and De Kuip. Evander Sno and Colin Kazim-Richards both swapped Feyenoord for Celtic, but neither made the same impact as the two legendary strikers.
