Sutton's powers of persuasion fail

Celtic’s Old Firm hero Chris Sutton has revealed how he has tried to persuade Henrik Larsson to stay at Parkhead next season.

The Swede played against Rangers for the last time on Saturday and even though he failed to sign off with a goal, he was involved in the Englishman’s dramatic injury-time winner.

Larsson will end his seven-year association with the club for a move abroad this summer but his team-mates have tried in vain to convince him to change his mind.

“Yes, everybody at the club has tried at some stage over the course of the season,” said Sutton.

“But Henrik is set in his ways and given more than enough time to be allowed to make his own decision.

“He has given great service over the years and he will be very difficult to replace and it will be sad not to see him here next season.”

The 31-year-old acknowledges just how big an impact Larsson has had on his own career since moving to Parkhead.

“Since I have been here he has got a lot of assists and he’s such an unselfish player,” said Sutton. “Everybody knows what Henrik is capable of as a player and he will be missed.”

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill wants Bolton target and former Brazilian World Cup superstar Rivaldo to replace Larsson and will speak again to his agent this week.

Sutton added: “Martin is a very ambitious manager and I know how much he wants to progress Celtic further in Europe and that’s probably why he is considering names like this.”

But the former Blackburn Rovers star believes that people are quick to gloss over the fact that John Hartson will be fighting fit and hungry for success when he returns from injury.

“Everybody seems to forget about John Hartson,” said Sutton. “He has been out for a long time and he is going to come back next season.

“He’ll be 100% and will be looking to play up front as well. John is a great player and he will be determined to prove things next season.

“But losing a player like Henrik it will be nice to get a big name to replace him – – that’s what we need to do.”

Sutton revealed that his Parkhead winner, to inflict a final humiliation on Rangers, was only his second chip in his professional career.

Celtic were looking to become the first side since 1964 to win five Glasgow derby games in a season.

But Sutton has warned his team-mates to be on guard for an angry backlash from Rangers next season.

He said: “In the second half we played well and I am pleased I had the final say.

“I am pleased with 28 goals this season as I’m just coming back from injury. I’ve been out for a while so that’s a good tally to end up with.

“The manager said that we just need to get back to winning ways. The first half was a bit even but we dominated the second half.

“But that is the best we have played for a long time and it was nice to beat Rangers. They will come back stronger next season though.”

Team-mate and close friend Alan Thompson could be in trouble with the Scottish Football Association after being accused of slapping Fernando Ricksen in the face.

The Englishman will be sweating on a possible Tennent’s Scottish Cup final ban but Sutton said: “These things happen in an Old Firm game.”