Henrik Larsson produced two superb first-half goals at Parkhead last night to put Celtic into a comfortable position in their UEFA Cup clash with HJK Helsinki. After a quiet opening Celtic almost suffered a nightmare start. Helsinki striker Rafael Pires Viera was given room in the ninth minute to cut into the box before unleashing a left-foot shot which Celtic goalkeeper Jonathan Gould saved low to his right.

The home team went out under orders to be patient but that scare sprung them into life and in the 12th minute Mahe crossed for Chris Sutton, but the striker glanced his header wide of the post. A minute later and Joos Valgaeren rose to meet Lubo Moravcik's free-kick, but the Belgian headed just over the bar.

Celtic's opener did not take long in coming and it was Henrik Larsson who once again proved the hero to score his ninth goal in eight games.

Mjallby found Jackie McNamara on the right and the Scotland international swung in a cross for the Swedish striker to head home.

The goal settled the home side down and in the 26th minutes Larsson and Celtic's night got even better when they increased their lead.

Moravcik found Sutton on the edge of the box and the £6 million striker threaded the ball through to the Swede, who coolly drew goalkeeper Jani Viander before lifting it over him.

Celtic continued to pressure the Finnish defence and Larsson was looking for his hat-trick in the 43rd minute when Sutton won a free-kick just outside the area. Helsinki defender Ville Nylund was booked as a result and the Swede stepped up for his moment of glory, but curled a right-foot effort over the crossbar.

Celtic were struggling to find their rhythm after the break and the Finnish outfit came out more positive and fired a warning in the 57th minute.

Finnish international midfielder Janne Saarinen found Rafael in the box who charged his way through and it took a fine save from Gould to stop the visitors from grabbing a vital away goal.

Two minutes later and Toni Kallio tried his luck from long-range but Gould was relieved to watch his effort sail over the bar.

Celtic: Gould, Mjallby, Boyd, Valgaeren, McNamara, Lambert, Petrov, Moravcik, Mahe, Larsson, Sutton. Subs: Kerr, Berkovic, Healy, Burchill, Riseth, Rafael, Miller.

HJK Helsinki: Vieander, Turpeinen, Nylund, Nyeremenko, Kallio, Saarinen, Heikkinen, Hakanpaa, Kuivasto, Viera, YlaJussila. Subs: Wallen, Kokkonen, Kunnas, Moraes, Paulus, Haarala, Kopteff.

Referee: D Drabek (Austria).