Soccer: Lagerback raises glass to King Henrik

Swedish coach Lars Lagerback claims Henrik Larsson would be worth almost £30m in the transfer market - but he fully expects the striker to sign a new contract with Celtic.

The record-breaking striker still has over two years remaining on his current deal, but they have set in motion negotiations to sign him for life.

Lagerback admits that Europe’s wealthiest clubs will be monitoring the situation closely and awaiting the slightest opportunity to lure him away.

But the joint-coach of the Swedish national side insists that Larsson has no reason to leave Celtic with the promise of the Champions League next season.

Lagerback said: "It's very difficult to put a price tag on Henrik Larsson because he is one of the best strikers in the world. He is priceless.

"I know how much money clubs spend on the best players throughout the world and it’s crazy sometimes the figures that are brought up.

"But he must be worth at least top £20m to £30m because he has everything and is one of the best all-round players in the world.

"But this is his most vital season yet and I think it’s entirely up to him whether he decides to leave for another club.

"This next year will be his best year in football and when I have spoken to him he tells me that he enjoys life in Glasgow and in Scotland.

"But now he has the challenge of the Champions League next season, why should he go? Every footballer needs a new challenge to succeed and now he has it in the way of the Champions League.

"If he is happy he should stay and he is coming towards the best days of his career and Celtic will reap those rewards.

"He doesn’t need to leave because he is playing well in a good side and has the opportunity to play against the best players in the world next season.

"When we talk about the situation he always tells me he’s very happy, but I don’t know what Henrik would do if an even bigger club came in for him."

Lagerback, meanwhile, has given fallen champions Rangers the news that they did not want to hear by declaring that Larsson will be even better next season.

The bargain £650,000 signing has banged in 49 goals in all competitions and surpassed Charlie Nicholas’ club record as Celtic stand on the verge of the Treble.

But Lagerback, who will be hoping that the hitman can also fire Sweden to the World Cup finals, predicts things will only get better.

"He works hard and his all-round game is very strong and the thing is he will get better and better and will be even more dangerous next season.

"He is important for Celtic and is a prolific striker and he will hopefully be important for Sweden too," he added.

"He has been magnificent for Celtic and has done a fantastic job for Sweden in the three years I have been involved with them which is very satisfying.

"He seems to have become a better player since breaking his leg and he has grown in courage and strength from the experience.

"He has been wonderful this season when I have seen him and is getting more experience playing with Celtic.

"We hope he can now do this for the national side because he has been at his athletic and brilliant best."

People will always say that the reason for his prolific record is the standard of the Scottish Premier League.

Lagerback, however, has jumped to the defence of the SPL and insisted that Larsson would score goals in any league.

He explained: "I think the most important thing for him is that he’s playing in a very good team, who have dominated in the league and he’s going to score goals.

"Of course people will say that the standard in Scotland is not the greatest, but you still have to put the ball in the bag of the net and get past the defenders and the goalkeeper. It’s the same in any league.

"I think it’s still a good league and stronger than here in Sweden and when I see what he does on the pitch it impresses me.

"Okay it’s not like the leagues in Italy, Spain and perhaps England, but it is still up there with the leagues in the rest of Europe.

"You still have to score and when I’ve seen him on television some of the goals he’s scored have been magnificent.

"He could do what he does at Celtic in any league and still score the goals and scare any opposition."