Rijkaard coy over Larsson link

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard was reluctant to talk about Henrik Larsson on the eve of his team’s UEFA Cup clash with Celtic – but he admits the Swede is a player he admires.

The Catalan giants’ president Joan Laporte admitted today his club have discussed a move for Larsson when his contract expires this summer.

But while Rijkaard spoke of his admiration for the Swede, he was determined to say nothing which might unsettle either camp before tomorrow’s last-16 tie.

“I know Henrik personally quite well because he also played in Holland,” said the former Dutch international.

“I have met him more than once and I know he is a great professional and he has demonstrated how good he is during his career.

“He is still in top shape, and I’m quite fond of players like Henrik Larsson.

“But at the same time I don’t want to discuss anybody, because it doesn’t mean I’m going to go after the player. If you ask if I like players like him then the answer’s yes.

“I don’t want to think about these things before a great match. I have never talked with him about Barcelona.”

But Argentinian Javier Saviola was far more receptive tonight to the idea of linking up with Larsson at the Nou Camp next season.

“Yes I think he’s good enough,” he said.

“He has scored so many goals and he is a striker with a great reputation. I’m sure he would do well here.”

The rejuvenated La Liga side will be without Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Patrick Kluivert with knee injuries tomorrow, while Edgar Davids is cup-tied and Luis Enrique suspended.

But those problems are nothing to what Martin O’Neill is facing – with Chris Sutton joining John Hartson, Johan Mjallby, Liam Miller, Ulrik Laursen and Shaun Maloney on the sidelines.

Celtic will miss the presence of the Englishman alongside Larsson in attack.

But Rijkaard claims he would rather have come up against Sutton.

“As a sportsman I feel sorry for him and his team that he is missing out,” said the Barca boss.

“I know that he can be an important player for the team – but if he did play I would be happy as well, because it’s always a bigger challenge to play against strong players.”

Despite the problems facing O’Neill – who also has worries over Bobo Balde and Joos Valgaeren – Rijkaard still rates Celtic as the favourites.

Barcelona have turned their season around – with the help of Ronaldinho and Davids – with recent victories over Valencia, Deportivo and Real Mallorca.

But the Glasgow side have not been beaten at Parkhead since Ajax won in August 2001 – a statistic which has not gone unnoticed by their opponents.

“We’re not favourites,” insisted Rijkaard.

“I think it’s always hard to play every team in Europe.

“Of course, I am confident – but that doesn’t mean that we can relax by any means. I hope we can enjoy it, but we are expecting a really hard match.

“A win has got to be our objective, and that is important for the rest of our season. Celtic have a great record here, and we have to wary of that.”