Anderlecht legend brands Celtic a team of '˜peasants and lumberjacks'

Anderlecht legend Paul van Himst has lit the fuse for the Belgians' Champions League showdown with Celtic - by likening Brendan Rodgers' players to lumberjacks.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Nov 2017, 14:33 BST
Updated 11th Dec 2017, 18:26 BST

And former club and national coach Van Himst astonishingly labelled Hoops a ‘team of peasants.’

• READ MORE - Moussa Dembele a doubt for Anderlecht tie after Betfred Cup challenge

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The Premiership leaders need only avoid a 3-0 defeat at home to the Brussels club next Tuesday to secure their place in the Europa League.

Olivier Ntcham of Celtic closes down Lukasz Teodorczyk of Anderlecht during the match in Brussels. Picture: Getty ImagesOlivier Ntcham of Celtic closes down Lukasz Teodorczyk of Anderlecht during the match in Brussels. Picture: Getty Images
Olivier Ntcham of Celtic closes down Lukasz Teodorczyk of Anderlecht during the match in Brussels. Picture: Getty Images

That is largely thanks to Celtic’s 3-0 win at Parc Astrid in September, when the hosts were managed by Rene Weiler. The Swiss coach has since been replaced by Hein Vanhaezebrouck.

Former striker Van Himst savaged Celtic as he reviewed Vanhaezebrouck’s progress since taking over.

Van Himst, 71, spent 26 seasons as an Anderlecht player. The club icon then coached them between 1983 and 1986.

• READ MORE - What the Belgian newspapers are saying about Anderlecht 0-3 Celtic

Paul van Himst launched the scathing attack on Celtic ahead of the Group B match with Anderlecht. Picture: AFP/Getty ImagesPaul van Himst launched the scathing attack on Celtic ahead of the Group B match with Anderlecht. Picture: AFP/Getty Images
Paul van Himst launched the scathing attack on Celtic ahead of the Group B match with Anderlecht. Picture: AFP/Getty Images

He won 81 Belgium caps, scoring a joint-record 30 goals which was only broken by Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku earlier this month, and ended a five-year stint as national coach in 1996.

Van Himst said: “We should never have allowed ourselves to lose to a team of peasants like Celtic.

“They were a bunch of woodcutters. It was one of our worst matches ever in Europe, and we didn’t even muster an attack. Under Rene Weiler we just went backwards.

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“Hein Vanhaezebrouck is not doing anything special. He does some good things, but you can’t say it is anything out of the ordinary.

Van Himst in Anderlecht kit during his playing days in 1973. Picture: ContributedVan Himst in Anderlecht kit during his playing days in 1973. Picture: Contributed
Van Himst in Anderlecht kit during his playing days in 1973. Picture: Contributed

“His progress is normal. What could he do better? Win the games against Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich?

“But the fact the team has been knocked out of the Champions League is not his fault.

“However it is still possible to play champagne football these days - just look at Barcelona.

“Hein is on the right road towards achieving it. If anyone can do it, he can.”

• READ MORE - Five things we learned from Anderlecht 0-3 Celtic

Related topics:CelticChampions LeagueBrendan RodgersRomelu Lukaku