No change on Celtic exit - Larsson

Henrik Larsson insists he will still leave Celtic at the end of the season despite making a u-turn on his international career.

The striker has agreed to come out of international retirement for the second time to play for Sweden in Euro 2004 this summer after a campaign lead by UEFA president Lennart Johansson.

But the 32-year-old, who cost the Hoops just £650,000 (€964,549) from Feyenoord in 1997, has dashed Celtic hopes that he would perform a similar turnaround for the Bank of Scotland Premier League champions.

Larsson said: “There is no chance of me changing my mind about Celtic.

“I turned back on my decision of two years ago not to play for Sweden but I am sure I will be leaving Celtic after this season.

“I came to the decision that it was time to move on and I still feel that is the right choice and I am happy with that.”

Earlier, Sweden coach Lars Lagerback hailed Larsson’s decision to come out of international retirement.

He said: “We are pleased with Henrik’s ‘Yes’ and we must say that we have never closed the door on him.”

Larsson scored 24 goals in 72 games for his country but has not played for the Scandinavians since a Euro 2004 qualifier against Hungary last April.

He had announced he would quit after the 2002 World Cup but returned to the squad for the Hungary game at the request of Lagerback and fellow coach Tommy Soderberg as Zlatan Ibrahimovic was suspended and Marcus Allback lacking match fitness.

But now he has made himself available for selection again, Larsson believes he can carry on beyond Euro 2004.

“I can even go on playing for Sweden after Euro 2004,” he told Swedish newspaper Helsingborgs Dagblad.

“I am in good shape and still hungry for winning titles and what I have learned of this is ‘never say never’.”

Sweden will play Italy, Bulgaria and Denmark in their first-round group in Portugal this summer.