MAGNUS HEDMAN arrived at Celtic after solid performances as Sweden’s goalkeeper in the 2002 World Cup Finals in Japan.
Martin O’Neill paid £1.5million to Coventry City for the 29-year-old netminder as he sought competition to Rab Douglas, an earlier purchase from Dundee for £1million.
Hedman appeared to be the answer to a problem position, but never convinced at Parkhead and, after only 36 appearances in all competitions over three years, he was released from his contract in July 2005.
His fate was sealed at the Hoops when he blundered to allow Dutch striker Roy Makaay to score an 87th-minute winner for Bayern Munich in a Champions League group encounter in Germany in September 2003.
BRING ON BAYERN…the Celtic line-up before the unlucky 2-1 loss in Munich in September 2003: Back row (left to right): Bobo Balde, Chris Sutton, Henrik Larsson, Stan Varga, Didier Agathe, Magnus Hedman; Front row: Neil Lennon, Jackie McNamara, Stiliyan Petrov, Alan Thompson and John Hartson.
Alan Thompson had given the visitors the lead just before the hour mark with a flashing header before Makaay scored the first of his double with a well-struck shot that left the Swede helpless in the 72nd minute.
Celtic were three minutes away from a well-deserved point when the Bayern forward floated in a cross from the right. The opportunity was missed by everyone and, alarmingly, Hedman appeared confused by the flight of the ball as it sailed beyond him into the net.
In January 2004, following a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury, Hedman had a loan spell with Serie A outfit Ancona, but was returned to Parkhead after only three games for the Italian team.
David Marshall had taken over as the main challenger to Douglas before eventually becoming No.1 at the club.
Hedman was surplus to requirements and was released by the Hoops in the summer of 2005. He effectively retired from playing a month later.
