AFTER a week when the title-clinching bubbly had started to go flat for Celtic, Henrik Larsson at last delivered some good news to Parkhead when he yesterday pledged his future to the new Scottish champions.
In the wake of statements of discontent from men such as Paul Lambert and Alan Stubbs, there had been widespread fears among the Celtic support that the Swedish forward would want to quit the club after the acrimonious departure of Wim Jansen. The Dutch coach has been Larsson's mentor throughout his career after having taken him from Helsingborgs to Feyenoord, and then from Rotterdam to Glasgow.
Larsson admitted that he was bitterly disappointed to hear of Jansen's resignation but was adamant he wants to help Celtic to more glory. ''I have got a three-year contract and I don't want to leave Celtic,'' the dreadlocked internationalist said.
''It's really a shame that Wim has to go, because he is the best coach Celtic could ever have had. He's the man who made it all happen for me.
''He took me from Sweden to play for Feyenoord and then came back to bring me over to
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Scotland. I've been so successful working with Wim and I really appreciate all the work he has done for me.
''Wim is the best coach I have had throughout all my years as a footballer. But I am old enough now and experienced enough as a player to stand on my own two feet. I should be able to handle it now and not have to lean on Wim Jansen.''
Larsson also predicted that Jansen would take some time out before returning to a coaching role. Speaking in the Swedish press, he said: ''I don't think that Wim will take over as coach at another club next season.
''I believe he would like to go back to Holland, but all of the three big clubs, Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven, currently have coaches. I think he may take a year off - and he has enough money to do that."
Larsson has returned home to Helsingborgs to relax and reflect on a superb first season in Scotland. He will play for Sweden against Denmark on May 28 and France on June 2, before returning to Scotland on June 22.
However, he revealed his hopes of a quiet life back in Sweden have been wrecked by wellwishers. He said: ''I thought it would be good to get away from all the attention after Celtic won the League and come back to Sweden.
''But when I go out people everywhere want to congratulate me. A lot of people have come forward and said well done and wished me luck.''
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