Feyenoord 1 - 3 Celtic: Vennegoor brace helps Celtic cruise to victory against Feyenoord

AN ACCOMPLISHED first-half display from Celtic last night saw them finish their four-day pre-season trip to Holland on a winning note with victory over Feyenoord in the Rotterdam club's Jubilee Tournament.

Having lost 2-0 to Tottenham Hotspur in their first match of the prestigious four-team friendly competition, Gordon Strachan's side had no chance of lifting the cup which this year celebrated Feyenoord's centenary.

However, the Celtic manager would still have been thrilled to see his side return to winning ways so close to the launch of their title defence which gets under way at home to St Mirren on Sunday.

Captain for the day in the absence of regular skipper Stephen McManus, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink scored twice in his homeland after Georgios Samaras, who had been recalled to the starting XI, got the SPL champions off to a perfect start.

With drizzle having replaced the sunshine which had bathed the De Kuip on Friday evening when Celtic lost to the London side, the cooler temperature allowed the Scots to begin the match at a much greater tempo than they were able to manage two nights previously.

And their vocal band of travelling supporters didn't have too long to wait before they were celebrating their first goal of the tournament.

Samaras, who made his loan move from Manchester City permanent this summer, cushioned a superb pass from Paul Hartley on the left side of the penalty box before the Greek produced a fine curling finish in the 13th minute.

It took just three more minutes for Vennegoor of Hesselink to double the lead over his countrymen, as he headed powerfully home after some fine build-up play from Aiden McGeady and Lee Naylor. McGeady set off on a trademark jinking run before releasing Naylor, whose cross was met by the onrushing striker.

Gary Caldwell and goalkeeper Artur Boruc combined to keep Feyenoord out on a handful of occasions as the first period continued, although former Wigan midfielder Denny Landzaat will be disappointed not to have made more of two presentable chances.

McGeady then turned creator for a second time, going past three defenders before teeing up Vennegoor of Hesselink. This time the Dutchman produced a fierce drive to make it 3-0 before the interval.

Inevitably the pace slowed in the second period, with the two-goal skipper taking a well-earned rest when he was replaced by Scott McDonald.

With 57 minutes gone Leroy Fer produced arguably the best goal of the match, drilling the ball goalwards from 25 yards to give the home fans something to cheer.

Celtic's substitute goalkeeper Mark Brown impressed with some good reaction saves to maintain a two-goal lead until the final whistle.

Celtic have one more friendly, at home to Manchester City on Wednesday night, before their campaign begins for real, but the manner of the victory in Rotterdam last night will have done plenty to increase optimism in Glasgow's east end.

Feyenoord: Ekramy; Buijs (Vlaar 46), Greene, Bahia, De Cler (Nieveld 70); Fer (Manteiga 73), Landzaat, Van Bronckhorst, Bruins (Wijnaldum 46); Mols, Biseswar (Erasmus 76).

Celtic: Boruc (M Brown 46); Wilson (Hinkel 46), Caldwell, O'Dea, Naylor; S Brown, Donati, Hartley (Balde 66); McGeady, Vennegoor of Hesselink (McDonald 46), Samaras (McGowan 59). Sub not used: Caddis.