FORMER Celtic striker Simon Donnelly has compared Henrik Larsson with Kenny Dalglish.
And the 42-year-old Glaswegian is looking forward to teaming up once again with the Hoops’ Swedish legend in a charity showpiece game at Parkhead on Sunday, May 28.
Donnelly, who played alongside Larsson in the Hoops’ title triumph in 1998 that halted Rangers’ bid for 10 in a row, said: “Henrik was the best I played alongside.
“He was the modern-day Kenny Dalglish. The first season he arrived from Feyenoord we won the league, of course.
“Henrik was a scoring sensation, but he was more than that. His subsequent career at Barcelona and Manchester United was a testimony to his quality.
“Everything he put into it, he got back out. He trained hard and worked hard.
“He was a fantastic education for me as a young man. In training or in a match, you just picked things up from him.
“I was on a charity pitch with him once for 10 minutes and I learned things yet again.
“Henrik was incredible. He would always seem to latch on to what you were doing. He had an understanding that meant he was a joy to play alongside.”
Donnelly also paid tribute to Lubomir Moravcik, the veteran former Czech Republic captain who arrived at the club from MSV Duisburg in November 1998.
He admitted: “I didn’t know anything about him except he was the wrong side of 30.
“But from day one any doubts evaporated. The guy just won you over immediately.
“He was unbelievable on his deliveries off either foot – and he could trap the ball with his backside!
“Zinedine Zidane said he was one of the best No.10s he had played against in France.
“The impact he had in the latter stage of his career was unbelievable.
“Imagine him coming to Celtic in his 20s? He was a player made for the Celtic fans.”
Donnelly is eager to participate in the May event – taking place the afternoon after the Scottish Cup Final – being billed as ‘Henrik’s Heroes v Lubo’s Legends’.
He added: “These games are great because players can be like ships in the night and it is great to have a reunion.
“And a chance to play at Celtic Park does not go down too badly, either.”
