Profile

A tall target man whose physical presence helped Celtic FC win the 2007/08 Scottish Premier League, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink offers a useful attacking alternative to Netherlands coach Marco van Basten. The 29-year-old has scored goals consistently wherever he has played.

Began with FC Twente, scoring 21 goals in 1998/99 (third best in league behind Ruud van Nistelrooy and Luc Nilis) and 59 in total; claimed 2001 Dutch Cup, winning final on penalties v PSV Eindhoven, club he would join a few weeks later.

Awarded first senior cap as substitute in FIFA World Cup qualifier v Portugal on 11 October 2000; four-year gap between second and third international; called up for 2006 World Cup – just five minutes' action v Portugal.

Five seasons with PSV yielded 73 Eredivisie goals, including 22 in debut campaign; won three national titles and 2005 Dutch Cup, scoring in final.

Joined Celtic in August 2006; league/cup double in first year; retained SPL crown on final day in 2007/08 thanks to his winning goal v Dundee United FC – his 15th of season.

Came on as a late substitute and scored in Netherlands' two UEFA EURO 2008 warm-up fixtures v Croatia and Austria in early 2008.

Did you know?

Vennegoor of Hesselink is insistent that his surname (a reference to two 17th century farming communities) should never be shortened.