If scoring goals in Scotland is so easy why doesn’t every player do it?
Celtic legend Larsson on critics who played down his success
HENRIK LARSSON has revealed critics of his goalscoring record in Scottish football irked him during his playing career.
The Celtic legend scored for fun during a wildly-successful spell with the Glasgow giants that led to eight trophies and a European final appearance.
The Swede, regarded as one of the greatest players in the club’s history, netted 242 times in 313 appearances during his seven-year stay.
Larsson would further prove his worth with successful stints at Barcelona and Manchester United after leaving Parkhead but the striker admits he was miffed at digs over his Celtic exploits.
He said: “They would say, ‘Yeah he can do it in Scotland but can he do it in the big leagues?’ It was a bit annoying because if it was that easy, why didn’t everybody score so many goals?”
The legendary striker admits he used a tactic to try to draw out teams interested in acquiring his services as his time in Glasgow was drawing to a close.
Larsson left Celtic at the end of 2003-04 as a free agent but even he was stunned when it was Frank Rijkaard and an emerging Barcelona team who made their move.
He said: “As a kid I dreamed of playing in a warm land with a swimming pool.
“I said that in an interview at the end of Celtic to see who was interested and we got about 30 clubs – but I never dreamed of getting Barcelona. Stepping into the dressing room was an amazing feeling. On the lockers they used to name the guys using yours before you. Going around and seeing those names: Laudrup, Stoichkov, Romario. It was incredible.”
A sour departure from Helsingborg, which ended in the Swedish side’s relegation to the second tier, would put many off but the Celtic hero has designs on bigger success to come. The trait that made Larsson so special as a player is what drives him on in his managerial career.
The 46-year-old has only managed in his homeland but believes his greatest triumphs in the dugout will be on foreign shores and has a firm idea about where he’d like to go next.
He said: “In England, somewhere. I want to be at a big team, in the big leagues again.
“I understand I have to prove myself as a manager. I have the potential, I have a lot of knowledge to share and I’m well equipped to translate my thoughts to the players. Time will tell.
“I want to leave Sweden. I want to go into management and that means Europe. I’ve tried managing in Sweden now with three clubs. With two clubs I’ve done all right.
“With Helsingborg I’m not saying I did everything right but I didn’t do everything wrong either. As a manager, it’s the same as a player – I want to see how far I can get.”
Larsson also took time to lavish praise on a Scottish football great and his experiences with Sir Alex Ferguson at Man United.
The Red Devils agreed a loan deal for the striker at the end of 2006 and he played an important role during his 13 appearances with the club as they sealed a first league triumph in four years.
He added: “I learned a lot from Sir Alex and the way he was with players. It didn’t matter if you were younger or older, if you weren’t doing your job, you were told.
“There was a huge respect from the players, obviously. He was absolutely fantastic towards me and my family.”
As a manager it’s the same as a player – I want to see how far I can get HENRIK LARSSON