Henrik Larsson. The best overseas player to have played on these shores. Much better than Brian Laudrup, who wasn’t even the best player in his family. No contest on both…
Happy belated birthday to the one and only Henrik Larsson who turned 53 on Friday. The King of Kings is one of the greatest players to have graced the Hoops, and indeed this country.
The Three Jimmys, the two Bobbys
There’s an argument to be had that he is the best player to have played his football in Scotkand, as I’m sure there would be a whole host of greats in the last century or so who are considered as good if not better than the Swedish superstar. Many of them who also donned the famous green and white hoops. The three Jimmys Quinn, McGrory and Johnstone, the two Bobbys Lennox and Murdoch, King Kenny Dalglish the list goes on.
Henrik lost out to Jimmy Johnstone in the Greatest Ever Celtic Player vote. Across the city, Laudrup lost out to John Greig, a tough tackling defender and hardly an advocate for the Beautiful Game.
hat’s not in doubt is that Henrik Larsson the best overseas player to have played in our domestic game. That is undeniable.
Now defunct club
Although the usual suspects will have something to say about that. Brian Laudrup who played for Rangers 1872 RIP is considered a god amongst supporters of the now defunct club, and as good as he was, he didn’t make an impact on our game in the same way as Henrik.
Henrik for a start was here for seven years and faced tougher challenges than the Danish international ever did, when he could have easily played in any league on the continent. He done it not only domestically but in Europe too, and in international tournaments with Sweden whilst in Scotland. He had nothing to prove.
The complete footballer
He was the complete footballer, and undoubtedly world class. We won’t see the likes of Henrik playing at their peak in our football again. That’s what makes him the greatest overseas player to have graced our shores.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy