LARSSON HAS THE GOLDEN BOOT

The Celtic hot-shot netted 53 goals for The Bhoys, but could have been denied the accolade had Crespo bagged a brace against Lecce or Andrei Shevchenko scored a hat-trick for Milan.

The Ukrainian failed to find the target, and Crespo was only able to score once, taking his season`s tally to 26, meaning that the Swedish international will pick up the European Golden Boot.

Larsson will be officially crowned later in the week, but he is sure to already know that he has clinched the award after revealing that he would be monitoring developments in Italy.

Speaking on his personal website on Friday, Larsson said: "By the end of the weekend I'll know whether I have won the Golden Boot for being Europe's top goalscorer.

"So I will be watching for the results and goalscorers from Serie A in Italy this weekend where Lazio's Hernan Crespo needs two goals to take the award and AC Milan's Andrei Shevchenko is also in the picture but needs a hat-trick.

"Of course to win the Golden Boot would be a great way to end what has been an incredible season for me, and for Celtic, and obviously I hope Crespo fails to get the goals he needs, as it would be another great memory.

"I'd be lying if I said I'm not keeping an eye on events in Italy, because I am. But it won't ruin my season if I don't get the Boot."

The accolade will be a fitting reward for Larsson, as it comes on top of Celtic`s domestic treble and proves he is well and truly back after suffering a terrible leg injury in 1999.