Flying Celtic´s Dutchman targets fifth title

Celtic striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink has set his sights on winning a fifth successive championship medal after his goal helped send Celtic four points clear of the Scottish Premier League with a 2-0 win over Aberdeen on Saturday.

The Dutch international claimed two title wins with PSV Eindhoven before his switch to the Hoops where he has picked up a further two medals.

With five games left in the SPL Celtic look on course for their fourth league title in a row as the win over the Dons increased the gap over Old Firm rivals Rangers, who play Hibernian on Sunday.

Vennegoor of Hesselink, who hadn’t scored since September before his goal against Hamilton a fortnight ago, has now scored in four successive games.

His return to goal-scoring form couldn’t have come at a better time for the Parkhead club as they face up to what could be a championship decider against Rangers at Ibrox on May 8.

“It was a bit of a talking point when I wasn’t scoring. I knew if I trained hard and did well for the team the goals would eventually come,” Vennegoor of Hesselink said.

“Now it is unbelievable. It’s always good to score and get the result.

“Hopefully I can contribute to yet another title for the club. I want to do well for the team and whether that is with an assist or goal it doesn’t matter.

“The win over Aberdeen gives us a lot of confidence and some breathing space going into the split.

“There are five games left and we are four points clear and hopefully we will stay there. It doesn’t matter if I score goals as long as the team gets the right result.

“We have to focus on each game and put the pressure on Rangers. If we win this year it would be my fifth consecutive championship but you never get enough of it.”

His manager Gordon Strachan praised the Dutch striker for his attitude when things weren’t going right for him in front of goal.

“It is fantastic for Jan now he is scoring. We are really proud of him,” Strachan said.

“When he was going through a spell when he wasn’t scoring, he never complained or let it affect his training. He has won four championships on the trot so he knows how to play at the top level.”

In what was an open first-half it took until the 43rd minute for Vennegoor of Hesselink, captain in the absence of injured Stephen McManus, to give Celtic the lead.

The Dutchman fired home from close range after a Shunsuke Nakamura corner was knocked into his path to score his fourth in as many games.

Australian Scott McDonald then sealed the points for the Hoops with a powerful finish following a good passing move early in the second-half to end Aberdeen’s seven match unbeaten run.

Manager Strachan will now take his team to Spain for a week’s training camp before they resume league action in a fortnight’s time as the SPL splits in two.