Petrov not looking forward to Larsson return

Celtic midfielder Stilian Petrov is not relishing the prospect of seeing Henrik Larsson again.

The 32-year-old is set for an emotional return to Parkhead after his new club Barcelona were drawn against Celtic in the Champions League group stages.

The Hoops also face AC Milan and Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in Group F for Martin O‘Neill‘s men.

But Petrov has already lined up against Larsson in Euro 2004 this summer, where the Swede scored twice for his country in a 5-0 win over Bulgaria.

Now the 25-year-old admits he is not relishing the return of the Hoops’ hero on September 14.

Petrov said: “It will be hard coming up against Henrik – I know that from my own experience.

“I had to play against him in Euro 2004 and, when he scores against you, it is very hard to take.

“A few of the boys have already spoken to him and I think he is excited about coming back.

“All the lads in the dressing room are speaking about it and it must be fate that he will be back here.”

While Celtic were turning their thoughts to the Champions League group stages, Old Firm rivals Rangers were rueing missed opportunities.

The Light Blues crashed out of the competition at the final qualification stage against CSKA Moscow and have been forced to settle for the UEFA Cup instead and a first round tie against Maritimo of Portugal.

But the Bank of Scotland Premier League campaign tops the list of priorities again on Sunday in the first Old Firm derby of the season.

Now Petrov has warned his team-mates to be wary of a Rangers’ backlash at Parkhead.

He added: “They didn‘t qualify for the Champions League and will be determined to put things right on Sunday.

“It could easily have been a different result when they played on Wednesday, but we know ourselves from the Champions League that you need to score the goals to go through.

“We expect them to play well on Sunday, because they will want to show the fans they can win the game.

“We beat them in all the games last season, but we have to start again now and all those games are in the past.”

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