Soccer: Numan relishing Van Hooijdonk return
Rangers defender Arthur Numan believes his pal Pierre van Hooijdonk is a better free-kick taker than David Beckham - and expects him to try to prove it on his return to Glasgow later this month.
Van Hooijdonk netted 44 times in 69 league appearances for Celtic in a colourful spell that ended with his move to Nottingham Forest in 1997.
The 32-year-old is now at Feyenoord, who visit Ibrox on February 21 for the first leg of their UEFA Cup fourth round clash with Rangers.
Numan said: ‘‘Van Hooijdonk in and around the box is very dangerous and every free-kick there is worth almost half a goal.
‘‘I think van Hooijdonk and Beckham both have the best free-kicks in Europe. Van Hooijdonk is probably better because I have seen him score some goals in the last couple of seasons that have been unbelievable, from every corner.’’
Van Hooijdonk and Numan were both omitted from Dick Advocaat’s first Holland squad, with a lack of match fitness following five weeks out injured the reason why the Rangers man will not face England next week.
Van Hooijdonk was simply overlooked with Advocaat feeling he has plenty of firepower in Ruud van Nistelrooy, Patrick Kluivert and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
The absence of the Feyenoord forward ahead of the showdown with Rangers has raised eyebrows in both countries, and it has been suggested in some quarters that van Hooijdonk might regard it as a snub from the man who doubles as Rangers’ director of football.
But Numan disagrees and said: ‘‘He knows it himself that there is competition for the places.
‘‘If you have van Nistelrooy, Hasselbaink and Kluivert then it is not a shame that you are not in the squad. He is still a superb striker.’’
Rangers have two league matches before resuming European action after Christmas for the first time in nine years, a trip to Hearts tonight and the visit of Motherwell in a week’s time.
Rangers face a huge task in trying to overhaul Celtic in the Premier League but Numan believes this week’s CIS Insurance Cup semi-final win over their great rivals could be hugely significant.
He said: ‘‘After Tuesday it only helps you with the confidence to work to the Feyenoord game. We all realise that the chance to reach the quarter-finals is there.
‘‘It’s something to look forward to for the whole squad so there is no time to relax. We have to try and keep the pressure there because it is necessary if you want to achieve something.’’
The draw with the Rotterdam club sparked plenty of interest back home with friends contacting Numan for tickets.
He added: ‘‘I had a lot of phone calls from people because they would like to see Feyenoord play against Rangers and over the last couple of years Rangers have become quite popular in Holland.
‘‘A lot of Rangers games have been live on Dutch television and everybody here was happy with the draw.’’
Rangers manager Alex McLeish plans to watch the Dutch outfit in their next two games and has already studied videos of previous matches.
Although Numan was not able to face the English, and both Bert Konterman and Michael Mols were overlooked, Rangers will be represented by Ronald de Boer and Fernando Ricksen in the Dutch squad.
De Boer already has more than 60 caps but for Ricksen it is a chance to add to his one and only international appearance so far.
McLeish insisted the call-up for a player who had struggled during his first year in Glasgow had been fully deserved.
He said: ‘‘Fernando has been in terrific form. He’s a great kid and well-liked by his team-mates.
‘‘We all have our problems and it’s how you bounce back from them that’s the making of a person and Fernando has shown qualities in that respect.’’
