Larsson makes himself available for Celtic

Celtic hitman Henrik Larsson today told Martin O'Neill he is ready to gun down Liverpool in the UEFA Cup 'Battle of Britain' …

Celtic hitman Henrik Larsson today told Martin O'Neill he is ready to gun down Liverpool in the UEFA Cup 'Battle of Britain' showdown on Thursday.

The 43-goal former Swedish international striker has been out of action since suffering a double fracture of the jaw over a month ago.

But he has stepped up his efforts in training to convince his manager that he would not be a risk if he was thrown straight back into action for the UEFA Cup quarter-final first-leg clash.

"If the manager picks me, I am ready to play," he told Swedish newspaper Expressen. "I have done two training sessions and I have not got any reactions so everything feels okay.

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"If anything unexpected happens I am at his disposal for the game on Thursday. It's up to him if plays me from start or lets me start on the bench."

Larsson's desperation to face Liverpool is encouraging news for O'Neill.

While the club sweats on the fitness of influential French winger Didier Agathe just days before the first leg, his team-mate has been given the all-clear from the medical staff.

Larsson is also hoping to get the nod from O'Neill to take on the Merseyside club.

"The jaw fracture has healed now," he said. "The doctors have cleared me and I am now going to practise at 100 per cent.

"All I can say is this is a big game that nobody wants to miss."