SOCCER/UEFA Champions League, Group F: Henrik Larsson admits he is uncertain how he will be received at Parkhead tonight but, if his welcome at the airport is anything to go by, it will be rapturous. The Swedish striker is making his first return to Glasgow since leaving for Barcelona after seven years with Celtic, where he scored 242 goals and became the fans' favourite.
"It's good to be back in Scotland, I feel great and I have never felt fitter," he said amid tumultuous scenes at Glasgow airport. He added: "To be honest, I'm not sure how I will be received at Parkhead tomorrow night."
His former manager Martin O'Neill had no doubts. "He will be afforded an excellent reception after what he did here and he should be applauded when he comes out on to the pitch. But I wouldn't like them to applaud him every time he touches the ball. The crowd have got to have a reality check and he is now playing for the opposition."
The Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard agreed: "I respect the opinion of the supporters here but he plays for Barcelona now and he will try to win this match for us."
Larsson scored in Barca's 2-0 victory over Sevilla at the weekend and is almost certain to start, having quickly established himself in a team tipped for success this season.
"There were people down south that were saying that Henrik would only score goals in the SPL," said O'Neill, "but he has scored in the Spanish league and for Sweden with monotonous regularity and people down south might have to write other things."
Also making a return to Scotland was former Rangers star Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Despite being an Old Firm rival of Larsson's in the past, the Dutch midfielder also played alongside the striker during their time together at Feyenoord and he believes Larsson will be slightly rattled by the return to Parkhead.
"I think he feels a bit strange about being back here but hopefully he can score again at Celtic Park, only for us this time," said the Dutchman, who also played at Arsenal before moving to the Nou Camp.
"We are feeling good but we know that it's going to be a big task to get a result here," he added. "It is the first game so we will be trying to get a result and we are confident."
Celtic's Neil Lennon begs to differ, however, believing that Barca's match rustiness may play into the hands of Celtic whose season is three games older than the Spaniards'.
"We will go in as the underdogs which is a tag the lads quite enjoy," he said. "They are one of the top three teams in Europe but it's a good time to play them after two competitive games.
"With the crowd behind us then we will hope to make it a really uncomfortable night for them," he added. "We need a little bit of luck in these games and we are under no illusions that this group is going to be tough.
"The onus is on us to take the game to them and make it as difficult as possible. Of course we can win and go through. I have faith in the manager and the players.
A draw looks a good bet, as Celtic are unbeaten in 19 home European games while Barca are unbeaten in their last eight away Champions League matches. It is 40 years since the Catalans beat a Scottish side - Celtic in the Fairs Cup.
Celtic, who put Barca out of last season's UEFA Cup, are likely to be without the striker Chris Sutton (hamstring). For Barcelona Gerard is expected to play in the centre of midfield in place of Thiago Motta, who faces six months out after rupturing knee ligaments.
