HENRIK Larsson will play his last competitive match at Celtic Park today. Even Martin O'Neill's extensive vocabulary has been exhausted for complimentary adjectives.
Instead, he offered a fresh perspective on the departing Swedish phenomenon. In less than two weeks' time, 60,000 worshippers will pay (pounds) 25 per head to say a final farewell in a gala spectacle against Seville.
It is in stark contrast to the ignominious exit endured by a homegrown legend, Jimmy Johnstone's Celtic career will soon be made available to a new generation, courtesy of a new DVD. Yet the documentary will presumably not record an exit in stark contrast to the one the current owner of the No.7 jersey will enjoy.
Far from a sell-out benefit match at the peak of his powers, Johnstone was informed that his standards had slipped below the Celtic criteria laid down by Jock Stein. It would be one of the manager's most difficult decisions of his career.
''Celtic was his life and to be told by a manager who absolutely adored him that he was no longer part of the plans must have been hard to take,'' said O'Neill. ''That's why I can understand Henrik wanting to leave at the top of his game.''
O'Neill, who has benefited from four of Larsson's seven years of service, revealed his cherished memories of the 32-year-old. ''His final league game should be a special occasion and if you are asking me to pick out one performance from my time here than I would have to say the UEFA Cup final,'' he said. ''He was simply marvellous and it would have been twice as terrific if we had won.
''I also remember my first league game in charge, against Dundee United. He still had the dreadlocks and I remember him bending the opening goal into the net with his left foot. That'll do for me, I thought.''
In mentioning him alongside George Best, O'Neill nevertheless lauded Larsson's professionalism. ''The strong thing about this whole team is that there is no attitude problems but I don't remember Henrik missing training once if he was fit,'' he said. ''He has given seven years of wonderful service and we will all be sad to see him go.''
lThe Celtic midfielder, Neil Lennon, has been voted player of the year by the club's supporters. Jackie McNamara clinched the players' player award, while Stephen Pearson won the young player prize.
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