There was a sense of real anticipation as the ramp that reveals the tunnel at De Kuip lifted into the air ten minutes before kick-off.

Then an eruption of noise as Graziano Pelle strode out on to the pitch.

The Feyenoord fans went wild.

A couple of minutes later it was the turn of Jordy Clasie, to similar fanfare.

In a marked contrast to how returning players are so often treated in England, this was a real hero’s welcome for two Feyenoord legends.

They each received personalised gifts in the middle of the pitch and the Dutch giants had even gone to the trouble of creating personal thank you messages to them which were displayed on the electronic advertising hoardings around the side of the pitch.

Ronald Koeman had a slightly more understated welcome, but nonetheless it was incredibly warm.

It set the tone for an incredible atmosphere, the likes of which you will find hard to match anywhere in pre-season.

De Kuip was rocking, with more than 40,000 fans packed in.

It had been a sunny day in Rotterdam, and the anticipation surrounding the game had been building.

The colour of the fans, the flags, the noise – it felt more like a Champions League match than a pre-season friendly.

But for Saints, as nice as all the welcomes were, this was about some serious business.

The game marked the final fixture before the real stuff gets underway with the first Europa League game against Vitesse.

On the face of it there isn’t too much to fear.

Vitesse’s record suggests they are an inferior side to Feyenoord, who in turn are not as good as a midtable Premier League team.

Saints have also got in three games during their Dutch tour, perfect preparation for the style of football they will face against Vitesse – very much a possession and passing game.

However, when it comes to real quality, especially in the areas that matter most, Saints can outgun Feyenoord and, therefore, you assume, Vitesse as well.

Koeman put out what currently looks like his strongest side and they impressed with a very composed and accomplished performance.

Perhaps buoyed by the rocking atmosphere, the game got off to a flying start. The players it seemed were caught up in it, forgetting this was practice rather than the real thing to begin with.

As early as 16 seconds in Saints threatened. Dusan Tadic laid a right wing pass to Sadio Mane, who turned inside to Pelle but the keeper just beat him to the ball.

The pair combined again three minutes later as Mane got to the right by-line and crossed to pick out the sliding Pelle at the far post but he put over the bar.

Mane almost forced an own goal as he tricked into the area and forced Terence Kongolo into an awkward clearance but Kenneth Vermeer got back to claw the ball wide.

The crowd were almost silent when Saints took the lead five minutes before half time as Tadic latched onto a Matt Targett ball over the top and laid a pass inside that took the keeper out of the equation and gave Pelle the simplest of finishes into an empty net from a few yards out.

The goal was greeted by a polite round of applause. Even Feyenoord fans don’t like him enough to cheer in those circumstances.

Saints looked pretty solid throughout the first half, with the best Feyenoord could manage a half chance put wide by Dirk Kuyt and a tricky volley from the edge of the area he sliced off target. Bilal Basacikoglu was convinced he should have a penalty but nothing was given.

Feyenoord came out firing at the start of the second half and did briefly look dangerous, Rick Karsdrop going close with a rasping drive from 20 yards and Kuyt extending Maarten Stekelenburg, the only player to get a fiery reception, thanks to his previous association with Ajax.

But it didn’t take long for Saints to re-establish control.

They nearly added another goal on 58 minutes as Targett’s left wing ball found Pelle who tried a tough near post finish that hit the side netting.

Saints did double their advantage on the hour mark however, as Steven Davis lofted in a free kick from deep that found Maya Yoshida rising highest at the far post to head back into the opposite corner.

Feyenoord staged a few late rallies to keep the crowd interested, Jens Toornstra going closest after second half sub Juanmi had been caught on the ball, while Basacikoglu’s effort rose just over the bar.

But it was Juanmi who got the third goal with seven minutes remaining, producing a clinical low volley into the bottom corner after bringing the ball down on his thigh following a pass from Shane Long.

That put the icing on the cake of a very satisfying evening for Saints.

There were some very happy homecomings and most importantly a strong performance, coupled with an excellent result, that does nothing other than boost confidence and belief ahead of a huge match next week.

Saints: Stekelenburg, Cedric, Fonte, Yoshida, Targett, Clasie (Ward-Prowse 62), Wanyama, S Davis, Tadic (Reed 76), Mane (Juanmi 62), Pelle (Long 81).

Feyenoord: Vermeer, Karsdorp, Dammers, Kongolo, Nelom (Woudenberg 76), Toornstra, Vejinovic, El Ahmadi (Vilhena 70) Kuyt, Kazim-Richards (Manu 66), Basacikoglu.