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Trivia
- Phil O'Donnell Testimonial
- Testimonial for Phil O'Donnell, RIP, sorely missed by all.
- Old team mates and friends helped out, with Larsson, Wim Jansen, Murdo MacLeod, Enrico Annoni, Paul Lambert etc turning up to help.
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Larsson takes time for O'Donnell
BBC
Henrik Larsson took a break from Sweden's Euro 2008 training camp to honour the late Phil O'Donnell.
Sweden play Slovenia on Monday but Larsson was at Celtic Park for Sunday's charity match in memory of his former team-mate, who died in December.
"It was very important for me to come back," Larsson said.
"When I got the question two weeks ago from the Swedish national coach to go back I said 'Yes, I would love to, but on the 25th I need to be away'."
Larsson joined Celtic's 1998 championship-winning side to line up against a team of Motherwell legends, including most of the team that won the 1991 Scottish Cup, when O'Donnell scored his first senior goal.
The Swede was at the centre of an injury scare when he left the field after just two minutes following a clash of heads with Chris McCart.
But he returned following 10 minutes of treatment and quickly cracked in an acrobatic volley.
Motherwell skipper O'Donnell, 35, collapsed and died of heart failure during a match against Dundee United on 29 December.
And funds raised from the capacity 60,000 crowd will go to the O'Donnell Family Trust and a range of charities.
"It's a sad occasion but it's a great tribute to him and his family," said Larsson.
"You always have talkers in the dressing room and people who are a little bit more calm," Larsson said of O'Donnell.
"He was a little bit more calm but he was a great guy.
It's a sad occasion but at the same time it's a kind of celebration for everything
Henrik Larsson
"I always remember coming as a foreigner. There was always someone you could trust if you asked a question.
"I wouldn't ask Darren Jackson a question, because you wouldn't get a proper answer. Phil was not only important for me but a lot of the foreigners.
"It's a sad occasion but at the same time it's a kind of celebration for everything.
"I haven't been back since Jackie McNamara's testimonial three years ago."
Larsson, who scored 242 goals during his seven years with Celtic, added: "This is the club for me. This is where I made myself as a player, this is where everybody got to know me.
"This is the club I am going to be eternally grateful to for giving me that opportunity, when other clubs didn't believe in me.
"This is where I got back into the Swedish national team, playing in European Championships and World Cups, delivering for Sweden. I couldn't have done that without Celtic."
Like O'Donnell, Tom Boyd played for both Celtic and Motherwell and the former Scotland defender added: "Phil would have loved to have played in that atmosphere.
"Both sets of fans appreciated what he did for their clubs, everyone united to pay tribute to a great football man.
"The minute's applause was as noisy as I have heard it."
Rieper hails O'Donnell's memory
Marc Rieper
Rieper was a part of Celtic's championship winning side in 1998
Former Celtic defender Marc Rieper says he is looking forward to playing in the tribute match for Phil O'Donnell.
The 1998 league winning side will take on Motherwell's 1991 Scottish Cup winners at Celtic Park on Sunday. O'Donnell died last year, aged 35.
"It's very sad. Obviously, Phil passing away at Christmas and Tommy Burns now too," Rieper told BBC Sport.
"But that gives us more reason to come here and celebrate their memory and the 10-year anniversary of our league win."
Rieper was a part of the Celtic side which prevented Old Firm rivals Rangers from winning 10-in-a-row.
The Dane said O'Donnell was superb company and that he was delighted to take part in Sunday's match.
For those living abroad it's interesting to see how the Old Firm clubs perform in the Champions League
Marc Rieper
"Phil was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet," said Rieper.
"Tommy always had a smile on his face and was renowned for good football."
Rieper admitted he was pleasantly surprised Celtic secured the title on Thursday, after appearing to have blown their chance to defend their title.
"A month ago I don't think anyone would've thought Celtic could win the title," he said.
"But it turned out really well. Rangers had a few slip-ups and Celtic have been very consistent."
Rieper said Celtic should be applauded for winning three consecutive SPL titles in the face of a spirited challenge from their Old Firm rivals.
"For those of us living abroad it's interesting to see how the clubs perform in the Champions League," he added.
"Rangers have done fantastically this year and even though we love Celtic, we still follow all the clubs in Scotland and Rangers have been a credit to Scottish football.
"We hope Celtic will do just as well next year. "
Rieper was reluctant to compare the Celtic championship winning sides of 1998 and 2008.
Wim Jansen
Jansen said Gordon Strachan was doing a superb job at Celtic
"It's difficult to say. Ten years ago the players and management gelled very well together. We had a brilliant time away from the pitch as well. That was the difference that year between us and Rangers.
"We had the hunger, and, I wouldn't say they were fed up with winning, but we wanted it more."
The former defender said he felt exhausted after helping Celtic prevent 10-in-a-row and that he knew the players had achieved something "extraordinary".
Former Celtic manager Wim Jansen, who was in charge when the club won the title in 1998, said Gordon Strachan was doing a remarkable job.
"Winning championships is not so easy," he told BBC Sport.
"Three in a row is very impressive."
Former Celtic favourite Henrik Larsson will also feature on Sunday.
The 36-year-old Larsson, who now plays for Swedish club Helsingborgs, will be joined in the Celtic team by Paul Lambert, Morten Wieghorst, Craig Burley, Stephane Mahe and Alan Stubbs.
Motherwell's side for the match will include Dougie Arnott, Stevie Kirk and Chris McCart.
Celtic will be bossed by Jansen, while Tommy McLean, who steered Motherwell to their cup triumph, will take charge of the Steelmen.
Funds raised from the match will go to the O'Donnell Family Trust and a range of charities.