Larsson Silences Souness

Henrik Larsson had the last laugh over Graeme Souness last night after the Blackburn Rovers manager had questioned the Swede's status as a world class performer when he popped up five minutes from time to sink the ball past Brad Friedel.

The result not only gives Celtic a extra edge ahead of the return leg at Ewood Park in a fortnight's time, but also makes the Swde Scotland's most prolific European goalscorer with an impressive haul of 22 goals.

Larsson had a black eye and a couple of stitches to show for his exertions last night, not that he was particulary bothered about it.

"I took an elbow in the face, but it's hardly worthe mentioning," said Larsson. "I would rather say Rab Douglas played well and the team defended well as a unit. Now we'll wait and see what happens in the second leg."

As for Souness, Larsson said: "I don't care about his opinion. I have already proved myself on the world stage and I have nothing to prove to anyone.

"I was aware before the match that the European record was there to be broken but it's not that important to me. It was more important to beat a Premiership side while not playing our best stuff.

"Blackburn kept the ball well all night and we didn't respond particularly well. But you don't beat Arsenal at Highbury if you're a poor side and I can only hope that we are better when we go to play them in the second leg at Ewodd Park.

"The fact that we have not conceded a goal is a highly important factor."