Post by : Raina
Al-Fahim
In a notable event, Feyenoord head coach Robin van Persie defended his decision to debut his son, Shaqueel, in a Europa League match against Celtic, emphasizing his role as a coach rather than a father. The team faced a setback with a 3-1 loss on Thursday, wherein Shaqueel was introduced late in the game.
The 19-year-old signed his first professional contract with Feyenoord in 2022 and has recently been elevated to the first team. Although he remained on the bench during a previous Eredivisie match against NEC Nijmegen, he made his senior debut four days later, replacing Jordan Lotomba in the 81st minute amid a two-goal deficit.
Post-match, Robin van Persie stated, “This was a decision made from a coaching perspective, not a paternal one. We needed someone who could find the net, and Shaqueel fits that profile perfectly.” However, shortly after his introduction, Feyenoord allowed a third goal from Benjamin Nygren, concluding the match at 3-1 in favor of Celtic.
Reflecting on the emotional significance, Van Persie noted, “As a father, seeing your son debut is special, but my focus was on the task at hand, just as it was for Shaqueel.”
Feyenoord will aim to recover in the Eredivisie when they take on SC Telstar this Sunday, looking to regain their form and further develop young talents like Shaqueel, who is beginning to shine at the senior level.
Though the match against Celtic did not yield a win, Shaqueel van Persie’s first senior appearance marks an encouraging start to his football journey in the Netherlands, reflecting Feyenoord's dedication to developing young talent while adhering to professional ethics.
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