Thursday 1 October 2015 13:15, UK
Robin van Persie returns to British shores for the first time since his departure from Manchester United when Fenerbahce face Celtic in the Europa League on Thursday.
The former Arsenal striker completed his move to the Turkish runners up in July, signing a lucrative three-year contract and ending an 11-year stay in the Premier League.
So how is Van Persie faring at Fenerbahce? Two months on from his United exit, we assess his start to life in Turkey…
Warm welcome
Even by Turkish standards, Van Persie's arrival in Istanbul was a spectacular affair. Thousands of Fenerbahce fans lit flares and mobbed the Dutchman after he touched down at Sabhia Gokcen airport in Istanbul, and Van Persie addressed the jubilant crowd amid the mayhem.
"What I'm seeing here is incredible," he said. "I hope I can make you happy. It is an honour for me to be seeing you here, and hopefully I can make you very happy."
His official unveiling at Fenerbahce's Sukru Saracoglu Stadium attracted another big crowd two days later. "I promise you one thing - I will do everything in my power to help Fenerbahce win many trophies to make you guys happy," he added.
"I can only imagine, if I see today, how it would be if we win the league, what kind of party that will be. I hope I can share that with you guys. Let's do it together."
Champions League exit
The optimism surrounding Van Persie's arrival was somewhat dampened when they were knocked out of the Champions League in their qualifying play-off against Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Dutchman missed a late scoring chance after coming off the bench for his debut in the goalless first leg, and he was not even in the squad as they lost the return leg 3-0 in Ukraine.
Eren Sarigul, the co-editor of Turkish-football.com, has followed Van Persie's progress closely. "Van Persie only joined Fenerbahce late in their pre-season preparations and played a minor role in their encounters with Shakhtar Donetsk," he explained.
"When the draw was made few believed Fenerbahce could qualify after making major changes to both the coaching staff and squad," added Sarigul. "The aim is very much on winning the Turkish Super Lig this season in order to qualify directly to the group stages next year."
First goal
Van Persie did, however, help them into the Europa League when he scored his first Fenerbahce goal with his first touch after coming off the bench in their play-off round clash with Greek side Atromitos.
The Dutchman added to that strike when he scored on his league debut in a 1-1 draw with Rizespor, but that was followed by a run of four games without finding the net.
"Van Persie has made a slow start to his Fenerbahce career due to an injury early on and being left out of the starting line up by manager Vitor Pereira," said Sarigul.
Europa shock
Fenerbahce welcomed Norwegian champions Molde to the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium for their Europa League group stage opener on September 17, but it turned out to a night to forget as they fell to a shock 3-1 defeat. It was a particularly galling experience for Van Persie.
"He was booed off the field during Fenerbahce's 3-1 defeat to Molde," said Sarigul. Van Persie's Turkish adventure was threatening to turn into a nightmare, and there were suggestions of a growing rift with Pereira.
Van Persie was demoted to the bench against Bursaspor in the wake of the Molde game, and he was far from happy despite scoring the winner after coming on as a substitute.
"To be honest, I am not very happy at this moment," he told Lig TV. "I was not happy that I started on the bench. I am fully fit, physically very well and able to play for 90 minutes. The only right answer I could give was with what I did: helping the team to get the victory," he added.
The Dutchman was back on the bench for Sunday's Istanbul derby with Besiktas, and a frosty handshake with Pereira showed the tensions between the pair. Fener were beaten 3-2 as they ceded top spot in the Turkish Super Lig to their bitter rivals on goal difference, but Van Persie scored again after coming off the bench.
Sarigul says supporters are now hoping to see him reinstated to the starting line-up at Celtic Park. "Key goals in his last two games, public opinion has swung back in his favour," said Sarigul. "The majority of Fenerbahce fans feel he deserves a spot in the starting line-up against Celtic.
"His last two league goals should lead to Pereira giving him an extended run in the side. Pereira is under mounting pressure to start Van Persie and with Fernandao continuing to squander chances, he cannot justify keeping him out of the team."
After a tricky start, a third goal in as many games against Celtic could give Van Persie's Fenerbahce career the lift it needs...
