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Trivia
- 30-year-old Varga, was offered a new contract after playing his part in a three-game tour of Sweden this week.
Review
The Swedish trip ended on a high note on Thursday night with a a 3-2 victory over Helsingborg thanks to a superb winner from Craig Beattie, the striker released by Rangers but who rejected a move to Tottenham Hotspur to sign a new deal with Celtic.
Celtic had to come back from behind twice to deny Henrik Larsson's old team.
Lindstrom, met a cross from former Hearts midfielder Tommi Gronlund to open the scoring in 24 minutes.
Larsson scored the first equaliser heading home a Ross Wallace cross, seconds later.
Lindstrom restored his side's lead from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute after a Stephen Crainey challenge had been deemed to be mistimed.
Stilian Petrov made it 2-2 four minutes before the break, when he controlled an Alan Thompson free-kick and fired home from the edge of the box.
A Petrov effort from the edge of the box skimmed off a post, but it was 19-year-old substitute Craig Beattie, who came on for Larsson in the 61st minute, who was to provide the winner. It took him fewer than two minutes to do just that and he did so in emphatic style with a fierce 20-yarder that beat goalkeeper Conny Rosen on its way into the back of the net.
Teams
Helsingborg (4-4-2):-
Rosen; Jardler, Jansson, Lindberg (Johansson 75), Gustavsson (Pelu 46); Fribrock (Eklund 68), Dahl, Gronlund (Jansson 59), Christoffer Andersson; Lindstrom, Gustaf Andersson.
Subs not used:- Larsson, Rasmussen, Pelu.
Goals:- Lindstrom 24, 33 pen.
Celtic (3-5-2):-
Hedman (Marshall 61); McNamara (Kennedy 46), Valgaeren, Crainey; Smith (Petta 61), Lennon, Petrov, Thompson (Fernandez 61), Wallace (Guppy 46); Larsson (Beattie 61), Sutton.
Subs not used:- Corr, Miller, Laursen, Varga, Agathe.
Goals:- Larsson 25, Petrov 41, Beattie 63.
Att:- 12,000
Ref:- Martin Ingvarsson
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
Articles
Varga signs Celtic deal
BBC
The Slovakia international joined the Glasgow club in February as a free agent following a trial spell after he became surplus to requirements at relegation-bound Sunderland.
Varga was picked just twice for the first team by manager Martin O'Neill – a Scottish Cup defeat at Inverness and the final day win at Kilmarnock.
But the 30-year-old was offered a new contract and, after playing his part in a three-game tour of Sweden this week, has returned to Parkhead to sign the contract.
He told Celtic's official website: "Now I am just looking forward to helping Celtic to win some trophies because, at any club, and especially one as big as this, that is always the most important thing."
The Swedish trip ended on a high note on Thursday night with a a 3-2 victory over Helsingborg thanks to a superb winner from Craig Beattie, the striker released by Rangers but who rejected a move to Tottenham Hotspur to sign a new deal with Celtic.
Celtic had to come back from behind twice to deny Henrik Larsson's old team.
Larsson has indicated that he intends to finish his career in his homeland either next season, when his Celtic contract ends, or, more likely, after a couple of seasons elsewhere.
The Swedish striker provided the first equaliser himself, just seconds after Matthias Lindstrom had given the home side a 24th-minute lead, heading home a Ross Wallace cross.
Craig Beattie (right) in action against Helsingborg
Craig Beattie (right) celebrated his new contract with a goal
Lindstrom, who had converted a cross from former Hearts midfielder Tommi Gronlund to open the scoring, restored his side's lead from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute after a Stephen Crainey challenge had been deemed to be mistimed.
Stilian Petrov made it 2-2 four minutes before the break, when he controlled an Alan Thompson free-kick and fired home from the edge of the box.
Celtic boss Martin O'Neill made two changes at the break, with Steve Guppy and John Kennedy introduced for Wallace and Jackie McNamara.
A Petrov effort from the edge of the box skimmed off a post, but it was 19-year-old substitute Craig Beattie, who came on for Larsson in the 61st minute, who was to provide the winner.
It took him fewer than two minutes to do just that and he did so in emphatic style with a fierce 20-yarder that beat goalkeeper Conny Rosen on its way into the back of the net.
Helsingborg (4-4-2): Rosen; Jardler, Jansson, Lindberg (Johansson 75), Gustavsson (Pelu 46); Fribrock (Eklund 68), Dahl, Gronlund (Jansson 59), Christoffer Andersson; Lindstrom, Gustaf Andersson.
Subs: Larsson, Rasmussen, Pelu.
Celtic (3-5-2): Hedman (Marshall 61); McNamara (Kennedy 46), Valgaeren, Crainey; Smith (Petta 61), Lennon, Petrov, Thompson (Fernandez 61), Wallace (Guppy 46); Larsson (Beattie 61), Sutton.
Subs: Corr, Miller, Laursen, Varga, Agathe.
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