Larsson turned down Old Trafford move

Henrik Larsson today revealed that he turned down a move to Manchester United to stay with Celtic – but it is unlikely he would do that now with the state of the Scottish game.

The prolific striker will finally sever his links with the Glasgow giants this summer after seven years of service.

But as he waits for clubs – ideally Spanish – to come knocking, the former Swedish international lifted the lid on Alex Ferguson’s bid to sign him in the 1998-99 season.

“There were teams interested in me but I was settled here,” explained Larsson. “I had a rough time in Holland so I decided to stay here with my family and get on with it.

“I can now say that it hasn’t been the wrong decision because Celtic have developed into a really good team.

“From what I heard back then yes (Manchester United were interested) in my second season here.

“I wasn’t tempted at the time. I wanted to get on with my football but I never thought I would stay here seven years.”

But Larsson is saddened by the rapid financial decline of Scottish football which has plunged to a new low with Livingston’s plunge into administration earlier this week.

He feels that he is leaving the SPL at just the right time and would not be surprised if top foreign talent refuses to come to Scotland.

He said: “It’s very sad what’s going on here because it’s very important that the game is on a high and show the rest of the world that it’s not as bad as everybody makes out.

“But now with the finances the way they are it’s very bad to attract players.

“They don’t know where the game is going to go from here. I could say it is a good time to be going.

“But it’s a little bit sad they have let it go as far as it has.

“If I knew all the circumstances it would make me think twice (about coming to Celtic).”

Surprisingly Larsson has revealed that no Spanish clubs have been in for him yet and he is refusing to rule out a move to the Premiership in the summer.

He said: “I’d like to go to Spain or somewhere where it’s warm – not for a holiday but to play and enjoy my football.

“It would be lovely to play in a warm climate but I wouldn’t shut my door on that (Premiership).

“I will have to wait and see what comes up. I haven’t made a decision yet.

“Apparently I signed for Newcastle as well as Real Mallorca – but I still live in Glasgow.

“I haven’t signed anywhere or had any discussions with anybody but I’m not in a hurry. I am fully focused on Celtic.

“If nothing happens in the summer then there is always the option to go back to Sweden because I have a house built.

“I told my agent (Rob Jansen) what I wanted to do and where I would like to go but there hasn’t been a concrete offer put on the table yet.

“There are plenty of clubs out there who could challenge for the title and Europe but I am realistic to know for a fact that Real Madrid and Barcelona would never come for me.”