[Player Pics]

Danish international defender Marc Rieper enjoyed a brief but hugely successful Celtic career before being forced out of the game through injury.

Signed by Wim Jansen in September 1997 from West Ham the centre-half instantly settled at Celtic Park and quickly became a firm favourite with the Bhoys’ faithful. Excellent in the air and with superb positional sense Rieper was a commanding and experienced figure at the heart of the Celtic defence.

The tough tackling Dane forged an excellent defensive partnership with Alan Stubbs, with the Englishman’s more cultured game benefiting hugely from the reassuring presence of Rieper. Rieper was unquestionably a key man in the Hoops team which won the CIS Cup (League Cup) and, much more importantly, wrestled the league championship away from Rangers and prevented the Ibrox side from bettering Celtic’s record nine-in-a-row league title run.

Sadly, after just one full season at Parkhead, Rieper suffered a toe injury in October 1998. A long lay off followed and despite surgery and intensive treatment Rieper was eventually forced to retire from football in July 2000 at the age of 32.

While that cruel injury meant Rieper effectively played at Celtic for little more than a season his efforts during the 1997/98 campaign mean that he will forever be very fondly remembered by the Celtic support.