As Celtic legend Henrik Larsson embarks on the final week of his football career, we’re dipping into the STV archive to bring you footage of some of the key moments from his time in Scotland.
The Swede, who bagged 242 goals in 315 appearances for the Hoops, announced recently that he would bring a 21-year career to an end on November 1, when his Helsingborg side travel to play Elfsborg in the final match of the Swedish domestic season.
First up, we look back to 25 July 1997 to Henrik’s first ever interview at Parkhead, on the day he signed for the club. Here he talks about his hopes for his stay in Scotland and an end to Rangers' run of nine league titles in a row.
“It is a nice club. I heard a lot of good things about the club and also the trainer [Wim Jansen]. That’s why I chose Celtic,” he said.
“I think it is a very good move for me. I’ve been long enough in Holland, so I had to try something new. Celtic looks like a very good club, so I think it is going to do good for my development as a player and as a human being.
“I know about the rivalry between the two clubs; it is known worldwide. I will play my best here and I hope the team will play very good, then we have a chance to prevent them [winning 10 titles in a row].”
His arrival from Dutch side Feyenoord was beset with problems, with his former club reluctant to let him move to Scotland amidst a dispute over a get-out clause in his contract. His move finally went ahead after the Dutch FA found in his favour at a tribunal, with Celtic paying £650,000 for his services.
Larsson played his way into Celtic’s record books with a memorable seven year spell in the east end of Glasgow. He helped his club to win the Scottish Premier League four times and added to those accolades with two wins apiece in the Scottish League Cup and Scottish Cup.
His goals also played a huge part in Martin O’Neill’s side’s march to the 2002/03 UEFA Cup final, scoring two goals in the final against Porto in a game which Celtic lost 3-2 after extra time.
He left the club for Barcelona in 2004, where he won the Champions League, before returning to his homeland. A brief spell at Manchester United on loan also followed in 2007, where he picked up an English Premier League winners medal.
The men that brought Henrik Larsson to Celtic
Celtic legend Henrik Larrson to retire on November 1
