Larsson snubbed Celtic return

Striker Henrik Larsson has turned down a return to Celtic in favour of a move to Helsingborgs.

The 34-year-old Liga and UEFA Champions League winner with Barcelona enjoyed seven successful years in Glasgow and it has emerged that Parkhead chief executive Peter Lawwell made an audacious attempt to re-sign the marksman.

"Yes, I spoke to Henrik and I spoke to his agent Rob Jansen. But three words into it we were told 'no'," Lawwell told the Daily Record.

"So there was no point in pushing it any further as Henrik had made up his mind. If it had been anyone else then you would feel you had a chance but with Henrik Larsson we didn't have a chance.

"He has signed a contract with Helsingborg and they have sold season books on the back of it so there was no going back. We knew he had made his mind up."

Larsson is set to feature in the World Cup for Sweden before returning to his homeland for the coming season.

The Hoops, meanwhile, are expecting even greater competition from their domestic rivals next season.

The old enemy Rangers have brought in a new boss and Gordon Strachan will be looking to strengthen his squad, as he looks to lead a sustained assault both domestically and abroad next season.

"Le Guen coming in to Rangers is a fantastic coup for them and great for the Scottish game in general. We also have a Hearts side which will probably be even stronger than last season," the chief executive continued.

"I still see Rangers as our main rivals. I'm not discounting Hearts - far from it - but history tells you Rangers are our main rivals."