6/18/2002

Henrik reflects on his retirement decision.

Henrik Larsson shares opinions on his reasons for quitting Sweden national team on his icons.com personal page.

"I have quite mixed emotions at the moment, what with performing pretty well in the World Cup, but getting knocked out, and quitting my international career. Overall I think Sweden can be quite pleased with what we achieved. We played some good football, made it through to the second round, and were a bit unlucky to go out. From a personal point of view I think I showed a few people that I can perform at that level. There are always those who will look to criticise, but I'm happy that I got a few goals, and played as well as I could. It's a great experience to be part of the World Cup experience, and I'll look back on it with a lot of good memories. The difference between succeeding and failing is very slim at this level, and often it's simply down to the team that makes the fewest mistakes at crucial moments. It was quite difficult to quit my international career, but I had decided that it was time to step aside and let some of the young, very talented, guys who are coming through to have their chance. It would not be fair to stick around playing a few more international matches when I believe that I'll be too old by the time the next European Championships come around. It's been fantastic representing my country, and I have a lot to look back on, but I know it's the right time. To be honest it's all the little trips in between, the friendlies, that take up so much of your time. I have a young family, and I'd like to be able to spend as much time with them as possible. You can't pick and choose which internationals you play in, so the best thing is to call it a day. I've loved every moment of it, but I still have a lot to look forward to with Celtic, and there are still many challenges ahead. Right now I'm going to relax on a beach in Sweden with my wife and kids, and rest for a while."

6/18/2002

Old Firm alerted as Dobie demands West Brom transfer.

Scottish clubs have been alerted to the news that striker Scott Dobie has handed in a transfer request at West Bromwich Albion. Dobie was capped last month by Scotland and was WBA's top scorer last season as they won promotion from the First Division.

Both Rangers and Celtic have been linked with young English strikers in the First Division recently and could be ready to swoop if Dobie's request is granted.

The 23-year-old is currently on £1500 per week and believes he can earn a lot more away from the Hawthorns.

6/17/2002

Ticket Prices for Portsmouth match.

Portsmouth have advised that ticket prices for the friendly on Wednesday 10th July 2002 will be adults £16.00, children & oap's £8.00

6/16/2002

MORE ON HENRIK QUITTING SWEDEN

The 30-year-old, who has scored 24 goals in 72 appearances for his country told reporters:

"I'm finished, there will be no more. I've been thinking about it for a while, and now my family must come first.

"It's too far away to the next big event," he added. "It's hard to leave the family at home for long periods, and the travelling is tough."

Larsson scored eight goals during Sweden's impressive qualifying campaign and three goals in the tournament including a double against Nigeria and the opener against Senegal.

Larsson claimed that the European championships in 2004 were just too far away, but denied that he would be quitting his Scottish club Glasgow Celtic.

6/16/2002

LARSSON QUITS SWEDEN

Henrik Larsson announced his retirement from international football after Sweden's 2-1 World Cup second round defeat to Senegal on Sunday.

"I'm finished, there will be no more," the 30-year-old, who has scored 24 goals in 72 appearances, told reporters.

"I've been thinking about it for a while, and now my family must come first."

Larsson, who will continue to play club football with Scottish champions Celtic, revealed his decision to his team mates and coaches Lars Lagerback and Tommy Soderberg amid emotional dressing room scenes after the match in Oita, won by Senegal with a 104th minute golden goal.

As he shook hands with each squad member, he explained he did not want to stay on for the European championship in 2004.

"It's too far away to the next big event," said Larsson, who has two young children.

"It's hard to leave the family at home for long periods, and the travelling is tough."

Larsson scored Sweden's 11th-minute opener against Senegal in Oita on Sunday, before the Scandinavian team were knocked out of the tournament by Henri Camara's extra-time winner.

Larsson, who won his first cap in 1993, was a member of the Sweden squad which finished third at the World Cup finals in the United States eight years ago.

SWEDEN INDEBTED

He began his career in 1989 with Hogaborg before joining hometown club Helsingborg in 1992 and Dutch side Feyenoord a year later.

But it was his 1997 transfer to Celtic, for a fee of 650,000 pounds, which helped him rise to prominence.

After recovering from a broken leg in late 1999, he returned in style to plunder 53 goals in all competitions as Celtic claimed the treble of premier league, Scottish Cup and League Cup.

His prolific scoring also propelled Celtic to another premier league title last season.

Sweden are indebted to a player whose eight goals helped them qualify for the 2002 World Cup.

Two more strikes against Nigeria in a 2-1 win helped Sweden finish top of group F in the first round of the finals.

Sweden coaches Lagerback and Soderberg appeared split on how best to deal with Larsson's surprise news.

"I don't agree with trying to persuade people to do what they don't want to do," said Lagerback.

But Soderberg held out hope. "This is how Henrik is feeling right now but he might have second thoughts."

6/16/2002

CELTS WORLD CUP DREAM OVER

Celtic's Swedish duo of Henrik Larsson & Johan Mjallby are coming home after their country crashed out of the World Cup. The Swedes went out after Senegal scored a golden goal winner in extra time. Henrik Larsson had opened the scoring for Sweden but Senegal fought back to level through Henri Camara. The game went into extra time and it was Camara again who sent the Swedes out with a great effort.

6/15/2002

Celtic veteran Boyd receives MBE

Celtic defender Tom Boyd has received the MBE in the Queen's Jubilee Birthday Honours List. Boyd has made 72 international appearances for Scotland and is the fifth most-capped player of all time.

The veteran has been offered a new one-year deal to stay at Celtic next season.

6/13/2002

CELTIC IN MELT DOWN?

Martin O'Neil's men may well be burnt out before we even kick a ball in this season's Champions League qualifiers. Celtic will have played a total of 11 games before the first of the qualifiers on 14th August 2002. Two of the 11 games will be SPL matches with all the others being friendlies. This surely must go down as some sort of record with the amount of games Celtic have agreed to take part in at the start of a new campaign.

6/11/2002

Bolton confirm interest in Sunderland, Celtic target Kelly

Bolton Wanderers have joined the race for Leeds United fullback Gary Kelly. Sunderland have reportedly already agreed terms with the Republic of Ireland international, but are yet to match Leeds' £4 million asking price.

Celtic are also interested in the right-sided defender.

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce told the club's official website: "We are very interested in Gary.

"He's a quality performer who has plenty of experience at domestic and international level and would be a tremendous asset to our squad for next season."

6/10/2002

Leeds defender wants Celtic move

Leeds leftback Ian Harte has revealed he would love to play for Celtic.

The Irishman has been linked with the Scottish champions recently as Martin O'Neill is looking to strengthen his defence ahead of next season.

"I know my name has been linked with Celtic but I've heard nothing definite," Harte said.

"Coming from the South of Ireland I grew up a Celtic fan and it would be a dream for me to play for the club. I definitely want to play for them at some stage in my career."

6/6/2002

Celtic to play in London again.

Spurs have arranged a pre season friendly with Scottish giants Celtic on August 7th at White Hart Lane. The game is to be squeezed in between Celtics first 2 SPL games of the new season.

6/6/2002

KEANE LOST MY RESPECT, SAYS BONNER

Republic of Ireland goalkeeping coach Packie Bonner has admitted he "lost respect" for Roy Keane after his verbal attack on manager Mick McCarthy. "It went against everything that I believe in regarding sport, life even. Respect for authority was questioned," he said.

6/4/2002

Bolton attempt to trump Celtic, West Ham for Motherwell's McFadden

Bolton Wanderers have had a £200,000 offer for Jamie McFadden rejected by Motherwell. Bolton attempted to steal a march on West Ham and Celtic by tabling the bid - which was rejected out of hand by 'Well.

The Fir Park club's administrators PKF will sell McFadden, but only for a fee closer to £1 million.

6/3/2002

THREE IN A ROW FOR THE HOOPS?

A measure of how the bookies see things panning out next season in the SPL is the latest round of betting quotes.

Celtic are priced at 1-2 with Rangers coming in at 6-4, Aberdeen are next on the list at a massive 200-1.

Five teams Dundee, Dundee United, Dunfermline, Motherwell & Partick Thistle are priced at 1000-1 to take the title from Celtic, makes you wonder if it’s worth even bothering to renew our season books.

6/3/2002

Celtic return to Livingston for Broto?

Celtic are ready to return to Livingston with an offer for goalkeeper Javier Sanchez Broto. The Bhoys signed David Fernandez from Livi over the weekend for £1.25 million and are now targeting the club's highly-rated No1.

With Dmitri Kharine released and Jonathan Gould set to leave in search of regular first- team football, Celtic are searching for a back-up to first-choice keeper Rab Douglas.

Livi chairman Dominic Keane has already admitted he'll sell Broto if a suitable offer comes in.

Like Fernandez, Broto moved to Livi after being brought to Scotland from Spain by Airdrie boss Steve Archibald.

Livi are said to be asking for around £1 million for the 31 year-old.

6/2/2002

£1M FERNANDEZ THRILLED BY CELTIC SWITCH

Celtic's new signing David Fernandez has admitted that the prospect of Champions' League football convinced him to move from Livingston for a cut-price £1 million. "This is the best team in Scotland and an amazing chance for me," he said.

6/2/2002

GOOD LUCK TO CELTIC'S SWEDES

Henrik Larsson & Johan Mjallby will be in the Sweden team who will face England later this morning, our best wishes go to them & their team mates for what we hope is a convincing victory