Home>News Center>Sports
         
 

Rijkaard praises Larsson after Barca triumph at Celtic
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-09-15 09:45

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard felt Sweden striker Henrik Larsson made a "great impact" by scoring against his former club Celtic in Tuesday's 3-1 Champions League Group F win at Parkhead.

 "With the tension and sentiment here at Celtic I think he made a good contribution to the final score," said Rijkaard.

 "He gave confidence to the team at that moment as we were losing composure and we saw some signs of danger when he came on that gave hope to the whole team," he told reporters.

 "He is so clever and was there to finish beautifully."

 Barca's new signing -- a 62nd minute replacement for Ronaldinho -- returned in style to the club for whom he scored 242 goals in seven glorious seasons when he grabbed the visitors' killer third goal after 82 minutes.

 That added to earlier strikes from Deco (20) and Ludovic Giuly (78) to cancel out Chris Sutton's 59th minute equaliser for the Scottish champions.

 Celtic had not lost a home match in Europe since a 1-0 defeat to Ajax Amsterdam in a Champions League qualifier in August, 2001.

 Larsson's goal -- a deft chip over excellent home goalkeeper David Marshall after Alan Thompson's headed back pass fell short -- did not please the home fans even though the Swede refused to celebrate.

 "I didn't want to celebrate too much because of the Celtic supporters but I also had to show some respect to Barcelona," said Larsson.

 "It didn't surprise me that some fans booed me as they were here to keep their fingers crossed for Celtic not Henrik Larsson.

 "They were here to support their team and rightly so."

 Rijkaard added: "It didn't surprise me Henrik not celebrating because he has such a strong feeling for this club and we understand that. Celtic have such great team spirit and I have to praise my players."

 Barcelona lead the group with AC Milan after the Italians won 1-0 at Shakhtar Donetsk but Celtic manager Martin O'Neill was delighted with his side despite watching them outclassed for long periods.

 Marshall saved Ronaldinho's penalty after 55 minutes and Sutton equalised to raise O'Neill hopes but it was not to be.

 "They (Barcelona) are a great side, one of the best in European football, but once we equalised I felt we could go on to win it," said O'Neill.

 "Henrik's come on to score the goal and all credit to them because they've got aspirations of winning this tournament. Hopefully, we can get something away from home now," added teh celtic manager, whose side next visit Milan on September 29.

 Jackie McNamara was carried off after Barca's second goal but O'Neill said the defender has a serious ankle injury and not a broken leg as was first suspected.



 
  Today's Top News     Top Sports News
 

US Congress resolution on HK strongly opposed

 

   
 

China pushes for talks on Korean issue

 

   
 

Financial criminals get tough penalty

 

   
 

CPC enhances fight against corruption

 

   
 

Traffic accidents causing more deaths

 

   
 

Blood reserve growing in quality, quantity

 

   
  Dalian held to 1-1 by Al Ittihad
   
  Poor Super League hindering national team: Haan
   
  Sorry guys, Yao isn't going anywhere
   
  AFC Champions League reaches quarter-final stage
   
  Liu Xiang listed candidates for IAAF Athlete of Year
   
  Vieira eyes European domination
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
Advertisement