Larsson expects Czechs to bounce back
Celtic striker Henrik Larsson will shrug off thoughts of an international recall from Sweden to help propel the Hoops on another UEFA Cup run.
The 32-year-old, who will quit Parkhead in the summer, is the subject of a campaign led by UEFA president Lennart Johansson and the Swedish government to return him to the international fold for Euro 2004.
However, for now the former Feyenoord man is concentrating on defending Celtic’s 3-0 lead in the third round, second leg rather than getting carried away by thoughts of repeating of last season’s thrilling run to the final.
Larsson said: “We haven’t been thinking about another UEFA Cup run because it’s too far away and we have to treat this game against Teplice with the utmost respect.
“We still haven’t done anything yet this season. We have a head-start in the league and we are 3-0 up from the home tie, but there is still a lot of football to be played. There are no guarantees.
“There’s no doubt Teplice will be more confident and attack-minded at home.
“They were a good defensive side but they are going to attack a little bit more this time.”
Celtic midfielder Stephen Pearson is relishing his first taste of competitive football on foreign soil.
The Scotland international has managed to hold down a regular first-team place among the big names at Parkhead since his £350,000 (€282,800) move from Motherwell in January.
Pearson said: “It’s been like a dream for me. I never thought I would be in this situation and I’m making the most of it.
“I’ve been lucky to get a decent run in the side and, hopefully, I can keep that going.
“It will be another great experience for me to play away in Europe and it’s is a step up from what I was used to at Motherwell.
“You’re always going to learn, especially in Europe. It was a first for me at Parkhead and, hopefully, there will be more to come.”
But Pearson has learned enough from his team-mates not to take anything for granted, despite playing his part in the 3-0 first-leg win.
He said: “The job’s not done yet. It’s going to be a difficult game over there, we know that because they are going to attack us much more.
“After the first half at Parkhead, they decided to shut up shop and see what they could gather for the second leg.
“We’ve given ourselves a good chance in the first leg so, hopefully, we can get the result and go through.
“But we’re not thinking about another run in Europe. We’re just concentrating on this game first.
“We need to make sure we do our job and get through to the next round and take it from there.”
