Today marks the birthday of a certain special Dutchman who’s impact and influence on Celtic is still revered to this day. For it is on this day that the great Wim Jansen was born. Wim cemented a place in Celtic folklore like few other managers, including our own Tommy Burns. Wim was the man who stopped the cessation of league titles at Celtic Park in the 1997/98 season when he stopped the original Ibrox franchise from taking the history book record of ten-in-a-row.
Wim only stayed for one wonderful season before leaving the club in an unusual situation. Reports of a schism between Wim and Celtic’s then Sporting Director, Jock Brown were at the forefront of the reasons why he left after making history. However, Celtic were left a parting gift that kept on giving through the years in the form of Super Swede, Henrik Larsson. His signing alone is enough for Celtic fans to hold the curly haired Dutchman in the highest of esteem.
Factor in that he also halted the success of a certain outfit that would have probably made life insufferable for Jungle Jims everywhere, and we have a bonafide Legend of Celtic Football Club. Time will remember Wim as a giant in Celtic’s colourful and melliflous history, undoubtedly up there with great and good.
It has also come to light that Wim has dementia at this time, which is a bittersweet feeling whilst wishing him many happy returns today. I think I speak for everyone at The Celtic Star and wider Celtic Family when I wish him the warmest and most sincere wishes during a difficult period.
Once a Celt, always a Celt!
God bless, Wim.
Paul Gillespie
Many happy returns and best wishes to former #CelticFC Manager, Wim Jansen! 💚🎂 pic.twitter.com/pVQOMvDQmV
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) October 28, 2021
𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐧 🧠
Een dag voor zijn 75ste verjaardag werd de biografie van Wim Jansen gepresenteerd: #Feyenoord
— Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) October 28, 2021
Mooi rijtje in De Kuip vandaag. Het werd een presentatie in kleine kring, maar gelukkig heeft Wim Jansen er met volle teugen van genoten. De eerste 5 exemplaren van zijn biografie gingen naar Murdo MacLeod, Jan Boskamp, Sjaak Troost, Rinus Israël en Glenn van der Klaan. pic.twitter.com/EIrPKqQ7M3
— Yoeri van den Busken (@yvdbusken) October 27, 2021
🟠 65 times in Orange, two World Cup finals.
Enjoy your 𝟕𝟓𝐭𝐡 birthday, Wim Jansen! 🎈 pic.twitter.com/WWVUXXBo2f
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) October 28, 2021
"The supporters in Scotland appreciate their history. In the beginning when I arrived at Celtic, I was surprised to see that the Lisbon Lions were still so important to the fans, but by the time I left, I realised it's a big part of what makes Celtic so special."
Wim Jansen pic.twitter.com/86sbPfIECc— CelticQuote (@CelticQuote) October 28, 2021
Happy Birthday Wim Jansen. pic.twitter.com/VIwqkuODiK
— Li'l Ze (@LilZe_7) October 27, 2021
