Feyenoord coach Robin van Persie has backed his decision to give his son Shaquille van Persie his debut against Celtic in Thursday’s Europa League.
Recall that Shaqueel was called up to the first-team squad for a senior match for the first time last Sunday’s 4-2 defeat to NEC Nijmegen but was an unused substitute.
But the 19-year-old striker was handed his opportunity against the Hoops with ten minutes remaining in what was his first taste of European action.
Reacting after the team lost 3-1 to Celtic, Van Persie told the club’s website that he brought Shaquille in because he knows he can score a goal from all angles.
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“I made that call as a coach, not as a dad because we needed a goal,” said former Arsenal and Manchester United forward Van Persie afterwards.
“Shaqueel is a player who can score a goal from all angles. That was the reason I brought him on.
“From a father’s point of view, when your son makes his debut that is always a special moment. But I wasn’t that busy with enjoying that moment, I was doing my work like Shaqueel was.”
