Henrik Larsson says there’s something he ‘didn’t have a clue’ about until he signed for Celtic

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Henrik Larsson is undoubtedly the best player to ever have played for Celtic in the modern era.

The Celtic legend was prolific in his time at Celtic as Larsson scored 242 goals in 315 appearances as he helped the Hoops dominate Rangers over a seven-year period.

Larsson signed for Celtic from Feyenoord as a relatively unknown striker, but by the time he left the club in 2004, he was an icon at the club.

But when the super-Swede joined Celtic, Larsson now admits there was one thing he didn’t know about the club before he signed a contract under Wim Jansen.

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Henrik Larsson was stunned at the size of Celtic

Despite Celtic and Feyenoord having a rich European history together, Larsson admits that he had no clue at just how big the Parkhead club was until he signed for them.

Larsson told Stick to Football, “No, I didn’t have a clue. I was playing in Holland and the only thing you used to see was like the BBC Match of The Day and you would see Pierre van Hooijdonk score a goal for Celtic. But other than that, I didn’t have a clue.

“And I’m so thankful I didn’t because stopping Rangers that year from winning 10 in a row was so important.

“And I think that if we would have realised how much it meant for everybody, there would be immense pressure for us. But Celtic is my club.

“I mean, it’s where I made my name. It’s where I became the player that you guys know and a few others know. But that’s where I made my name as a player.”

When Simon Donnelly touted Henrik Larsson for Celtic manager’s job

Many Celtic fans may have thought that Larsson would have one day become the next Hoops manager.

In fact, Neil Lennon was convinced his old Celtic teammate would land the top job he once tipped him for it back in 2021.

At that time Lennon said, “I’ve gone on record before Lenny got the job the last time, and last week, saying why would that not excite Celtic fans? Why would it not?

“I got thrown lack of experience. The guy has had a top career, he has worked under some of the best managers, he is at one of the biggest clubs in the world as a first-team coach.

“People are worrying that his legacy being ruined, but look at it on the flip side if he came here and he was a success they would be building a statue outside of Henrik, if they shouldn’t already have one of Henrik for what he has achieved at the club.

“That would excite me as a fan. You have to win at Celtic. Of course there is a risk, but it would excite me.”