Craig Beattie takes another big step

CELTIC youngster Craig Beattie has staked his claim to be the successor to departed Parkhead legend Henrik Larsson.

Beattie came on as a second-half substitute to strike a classy winner in the Scottish champions' 2-1 victory over Manchester United in Philadelphia on Wednesday night to take his tally on the club's US tour to four goals in three games.

"Everybody talks about Henrik going but we've all known that for a long time," Beattie said. "He made his mind up he was going to go and there was never any doubt he wasn't going to change his mind. There's loads of contenders, lots of strikers around at the club and somebody is going to have go in and do the job he's been doing.