No Larsson as Strachan ends transfer quest

CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan has all but ended his quest for new players before the transfer window closes, thus quashing speculation Hoops legend Henrik Larsson could return to Parkhead.

Larsson, who scored 242 goals in 315 games for the club between 1997 and 2004, has been transfer-listed by Swedish side Helsingborgs, sparking rumours of a sensational return to Glasgow.

Strachan looks likely to be without his first-choice strike force Scott McDonald and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink for tomorrow’s visit of Rangers, with Shaun Maloney — who returned to Celtic last Friday after 18 months at Aston Villa — expected to start.

But Strachan refused to discuss Larsson, claiming it looked unlikely that he would be bringing anyone in before Monday night.

“It doesn’t look great,” he said. “I wouldn’t get too excited if I was a Celtic supporter. Things have not materialised the way we would have liked. I thought that there might have been something but circumstances have changed, unless something jumps out at you.

“Someone you asked about who was £4m a couple of months ago will be thrown at you and you will be asked if you want to take him on loan. That’s what happens and you have to decide if it is worth it or not.” While the start of the season has been dominated by controversial decisions and rows between managers and referees, Strachan has no fears about Dougie McDonald being in charge of the first Old Firm game of the season. He said: “The referees have been fine. They have not been a problem in Old Firm games, they have been fantastic. So I don’t see why it has to be a problem.”

Strachan insists the visit of Rangers overshadows the excitement of the Champions League draw, which saw the SPL champions placed in Group E with holders Manchester United, Spanish side Villarreal and Danish club Aalborg.

The former Old Trafford player is looking to at least guide his side to the last-16 of the tournament for the third season in succession, a feat he believes would be “fantastic”.

Celtic have been boosted by the news Maloney will be fit for tomorrow’s clash. The 25-year-old was injured in training during the week and was thought to be a doubt but Strachan said: “He will be fine.”

The Celtic boss is less optimistic about McDonald and Vennegoor of Hesselink. McDonald is nursing a groin injury, while his partner has stitches in a leg wound suffered last weekend. “We will have to have a look at them,” Strachan said.

“Scott has the least chance of playing. Jan has a better chance but we need to look at his mobility. They are both big hearted and will want to play. It would be great to have them fit, because there are 51 goals between them. It’s a lot to take out of your team but we get on with it.”