Henrik for Premiership?.

By Cathal Dervan

HENRIK Larsson has confirmed that he will only quit Celtic when his contract expires in the summer – and he could be on his way to the Premiership.

The Swedish striker has discredited weekend reports that he will sign for Newcastle United when the transfer window opens in January.

But Larsson’s agent Rob Jansen has revealed that Newcastle could be one of the potential destinations for Larsson as he looks to new horizons.

Jansen said, “Henrik will finish his career in Scotland with Celtic at the end of this season and of course, he will consider offers from the Premiership if they come in then. He will not leave Celtic in January and will stay at the club until the end of the season.”

Barcelona have already revealed their interest in offering Larsson a new challenge next season, but former Irish captain Ronnie Whelan believes the player should look south of Hadrian’s Wall.

“I’d love to see Larsson playing for one of the really big clubs in England,” declared the former Liverpool and Republic midfielder.

“Larsson is a living legend in the green half of Glasgow and rightly so. He has marked himself out as a top class striker in the Hoops but I will always wonder what might have been had he moved to one of the big Premiership clubs.

“There have been many great strikers in the Scottish league but you have to ask yourself how often they are really tested.

“Henrik Larsson plays six or so big games in Scotland every season and his record in the Old Firm matches suggests he is a high quality finisher.

“Europe and the international stage he used to grace with Sweden are the only other barometers we have to know how good he could have been away from Celtic.

“Larsson’s UEFA Cup performances last year backed up the arguments of those who claim he is one of Europe’s best and I only hope he does enough for the rest of the Champions League campaign this season to continue to justify the hype.

“He has said he will leave Celtic once the season is over and I’d love to see him test himself in England before he retires. I am sure he would be a big hit here.”

Celtic could meet Rangers in the semi-finals of the CIS Cup after a 2-0 win over Patrick last Thursday night booked them a quarterfinal date against Hibernian. The winners of that game will play the Gers in February, with Dundee meeting Livingston in the second semi.

Martin O’Neill’s team maintained their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League when second half goals from Chris Sutton and Alan Thompson secured a 2-0 win at Livingston.

Meanwhile, Celtic have failed in their bid to gain compensation for Colin Healy, now at Sunderland, after FIFA ruled that the player was not subject to a fee under the Bosman ruling. 

A Sunderland statement read: “We have received conformation in writing from FIFA, the international governing body of football, to advise that FIFA regulations do apply in the case of Colin Healy’s transfer to Sunderland.” 

Sadly, Healy’s season looks over after an horrific leg break in the 1-1 Highfield Road draw against Coventry City on Monday night.