Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie said his decision to hand son Shaqueel a senior debut in their Europa League match against Celtic was made in his role as his coach, and not his father, after the Dutch side lost 3-1 at home on Thursday.
The 19-year-old signed his first professional contract with the Dutch club in 2022 and was an unused substitute in Sunday’s Eredivisie defeat to NEC Nijmegen after being called up to the first-team squad for the first time.
The forward’s senior debut came four days later against Celtic, when he replaced defender Jordan Lotomba in the 81st minute, with Feyenoord two goals behind.
«I made that decision as a coach, not as a father because we needed a goal,» said former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Van Persie.
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«Shaqueel is a player who can score a goal from all angles. That was the reason I signed him.»
The substitution did not have the desired effect as Feyenoord conceded a third just a minute later, Benjamin Nygren’s goal sealing the victory for Glasgow.
“From a father’s perspective, it’s always a special moment when your son makes his debut,” the coach said.
“But I wasn’t so busy enjoying that moment, I was doing my job like Shaqueel did.”
Feyenoord next plays SC Telstar in the Eredivisie on Sunday.
Published on November 28, 2025
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