Football: Larss chance for Celtic hero to make Scots smile again; WORLD CUP 2006 Mania IN ASSOCIATION WITH Currys GEEI WAR OF WORDS HOTS UP BEFORE DECIDER IN COLOGNE TO SEE WHO TOPS GROUP B.Byline: DAVID David, in the Bible David, d. c.970 B.C., king of ancient Israel (c.1010–970 B.C.), successor of Saul. The Book of First Samuel introduces him as the youngest of eight sons who is anointed king by Samuel to replace Saul, who had been deemed a failure. McDONNELL HENRIK LARSSON This article is about the Swedish footballer. For the Danish footballer, see Henrik Larsen Henrik Edward Larsson MBE [IPA: 'hɛnrɪk 'lɑːʂɔn - the former Celtic striker- claims he will be the toast of Scotland if he can inspire Sweden to beat England tonight and win Group B. Larsson achieved cult status in a prolific spell at Celtic but the 34-year-old knows he will earn a legion of new fans in Scotland if he can sabotage England's World Cup campaign. And Larsson, who scored 242 goals at Celtic, claimed even Rangers fans would respect him if he condemned Sven Goran Eriksson's men to runner-up spot and a tougher route in the knockout stage. "I am very popular in Scotland and perhaps there is only one way I could be even more popular and that is to score against England to help Sweden win," said Larsson. "I think there might even be a few Rangers fans who would like me for that. I know we can beat England because we have done so in the past. "They are a good team with some great players, but so are we. Our record against England is very good. I think we are very similar teams with a very similar style of play. "England have a very fair way of playing and we are the same, but we are also both very tough to play against because we never give up on anything." Despite the fact England have not beaten Sweden for 38 years, the former Barcelona striker, who came out of international retirement for the World Cup, knows his side cannot rely on history. "Records are made and they are broken, and eventually all records get broken," he said. "I have enjoyed playing against English teams for many ' years. "They are al ways fair and that is what I like about them, but on Tuesday that won't mean anything. I have to go out there and help my team win." Larsson admitted the return of Wayne Rooney Wayne Mark Rooney (born 24 October 1985 in Liverpool) is an English footballer who currently plays for the English Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team. to England's starting line-up had come at the worst possible time for Sweden. "Rooney is an amazing talent but whether he plays or not, we know it will be "Records are made and they are broken, and eventually all records get broken," he said. "We have to go out there and play to the tough," said Larsson. "Rooney will make the team stronger, but he would make any team better, even Brazil. I think he has the ability to be the best player in the world. He hasn't proved it yet, but he can be that good. He is like Ronaldinho. "There is no way you can mark him out of a game when he is in form. Fortunately for us he has been injured for a long time, so I don't know if we will see Rooney at his best, but at even 60 or 70 per cent he is still a great player." CAPTION(S): UP FOR IT: Henrik Larsson is beaten by Dennis Lawrence Dennis Lawrence (born August 1, 1974) is a 6'7" Trinidad and Tobago football player, who has joined on a two year deal with Swansea City FC in the English Football League One. of Trinidad & Tobago' PARKHEAD PREDATOR: Neil Lennon Neil Francis Lennon (born June 25, 1971 in Lurgan, County Armagh) is a professional footballer from Northern Ireland. He is the former captain of Celtic F.C., after leaving the club at the end of the 2006-07 campaign. enjoys a Larsson goal |
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