PAUL LAMBERT has snubbed his former Celtic team-mates – with the exception of Henrik Larson – in his Dream Team.
The Swedish striker was the only Hoops ace to get the nod by the former Hoops skipper who also opted for ex-Ibrox keeper Stefan Klos in his line-up.
And Lambert has also found a place for Steven Gerrard’s assistant gaffer Gary McAllister, his former Scotland international midfield colleague.
The one-time Parkhead powerhouse revealed his eleven from heaven in an interview with BBC Sportsound.
Lambert, now 50, came through the ranks at St Mirren and Motherwell before his surprise Bosman switch to Borussia Dortmund in July 1996. He was a stand-out when the Bundesliga giants overcame Juventus 3-1 in the Champions League Final the following year.
However, he returned to Scotland in November 1997 when he became an integral part of Wim Jensen’s team that prevented Walter Smith’s Govan side from winning 10 in a row.
He spent eight years in the east end of Glasgow before taking over as player/manager of Livingston.
The much-travelled boss is currently in charge at Ipswich Town after spells at Wycombe Wanderers, Colchester, Norwich City, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Wolves and Stoke City.
Here is Lambert’s selection of his top team-mates:
STEFAN KLOS
Stefan made saves in big moments in big games. Klos was different class in the time I was over there.
He made saves that I thought: ‘Oh, my God!’. Stefan was the one I thought just edges it from Jim Leighton, Andy Goram and Campbell Money.
JURGEN KOHLER
He was the best man-marker I’ve ever seen.
If the ball went by him, the guy didn’t and vice-versa. It was horrendous to play against him. He was the ultimate centre-half for me.
MATTHIAS SAMMER
He was just brilliant, a European Footballer of the Year. Massive, massive presence.
He was a terrific footballer, played the game very clever.
THE ONE AND ONLY…Henrik Larsson is the sole Celt in Paul Lambert’s Dream Team.
JULIO CESAR
I never played with a centre-half that never broke sweat until I played with him.
He still looks like he could play. I don’t think there’s been a better back three in a long time.
STEFAN REUTER
I’ve never seen anyone as quick as him in a long, long time.
If there was a race, forget it, you ain’t beating him. For a wing-back, up and down, no problem.
PAOLO SOUSA
He was brilliant, as a person and a footballer.
What a player, he was excellent.
GARY McALLISTER
For me, to play off of Gary was excellent.
Myself, him and John Collins were brilliant to play together.
We all knew where each other were going. It was so obvious how we would play.
JORG HEINRICH
He was probably as good as Lubomir Moravcik with two feet.
He was incredible, both feet you could never tell which foot he kicked with.
He was top drawer.
ANDREAS MOLLER
I’ve got to say he is probably the best player I played with in my career.
He had quickness, he had speed. He would set up goals, he would score goals, but, my God, we would argue on the pitch.
Talking about world class, that is what he was. You couldn’t ask to play with a better No 10.
HENRIK LARSSON
I loved playing with Henrik. He arrived at Celtic just before I did and I never knew who he was.
But we struck up a great understanding. He had a great desire to win.
The biggest thing for me was his work ethic, but his finishing was absolutely deadly.
KARL-HEINZ RIEDLE
Everything that was played up to him stuck.
He was a great guy and a great professional. To play with and link up with, he was world class.
