They played for Celtic – Vidar Riseth | OneFootball

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…

Vidar Riseth of Celtic. lifts the League Cup at Hampden. Photo Allstar Picture Library IMAGO

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!

Henrik Larsson and Vidar Riseth celebrate. Celtic v Rangers, 21 November 1998. Photo Mary Evans Allstar IMAGO

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.

21 October 1999: Vidar Riseth of Celtic skips over the challenge of Florent Laville of Lyon during the UEFA Cup second round first leg match at the Stade Gerland in Lyon, France. Photo Clive Brunskill /Allsport

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.

8 March 2000: Albertz of Rangers chases Vidar Riseth of Celtic during the Scottish Premier League game at Celtic Park. Photo: Michael Steele /Allsport

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

HAVE YOUR SAY – Join the Celtic conversation in our comments section below…

Celtic Shorts is the new home for the team from The Celtic Star

NEW FROM CELTIC STAR BOOKS…Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr, in two volumes, available now…

Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr. Both Volumes out now. Order at celticstarbooks.com

Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr, in two volumes, both published on 4th September 2026 by Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order.

Quick Tip – Add Celticshorts.com as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you’ll notice the difference straight away! – Click HERE….Hail Hail!

Click to join Celtic Pools