The 27 year old Norwegian international Vidar Riseth was the first signing of the Jozef Venglos era at Celtic, after the club sanctioned a fee of £1.5 million to sign the player from Austrian side ASK Linz (yes, them!) back in September 1998…
Riseth who played against Scotland a few months earlier at the World Cup finals in France made his debut in a 1-1 home draw with Hearts, and it soon became apparent that he was a player of great versatility if nothing else, giving the numerous positions he filled in the side.
The Norwegian was deployed at right back, left back, centre back, centre midfield, right midfield, and left midfield during his two and a half year spell at the club. Leaving the Celtic supporters all wondering what his actual best position was!
He wasn’t what you would describe as the most talented of footballers, but he didn’t shrink from a challenge, and gave one hundred percent every time he wore a Celtic jersey as he displayed that true Scandinavian grit and spirit, and overall terrific work rate.
Sometimes he could be too determined, as was witnessed in the infamous Old Firm clash at Celtic Park in May 1999, which saw us suffer a 3-0 loss as Rangers won the title on our own patch. Vidar Riseth was sent off along with fellow teammate Stephane Mahe by an the overzealous Hugh Dallas.
He was unfortunate to play for the club at a time when we were going through a bad period on the park, although he played his part in the club’s first honour this century, the 2000 League Cup win, scoring the first in a 2-0 win over Aberdeen as the Hoops triumphed under the leadership of interim boss Kenny Dalglish.
Like his teammates he was given a chance to impress new boss Martin O’Neill who arrived in the summer of 2000, but due to injury problems, it was an uphill battle for Vidar to fight his way into what was a efficient and winning team, and he would join Bundesliga side 1860 Munich on loan.
That was something that would become permanent a few months later when the Germans paid £1 million for the Norwegian international.
All in all Vidar Riseth made 73 appearances, scoring five goals in a Celtic jersey. But due to being continually played out of position, and playing under an array of different managers, it didn’t help his cause when it came to making the grade long term at Celtic Football Club.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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