1997-1998: MOVING TO CELTIC

"The Celtic fans had been in agony for nine years, and we loved that we could finally deliver the Championship for them"

"My son Jordan, who I named after Michael Jordan, an athlete I really admire, was born the month before I moved to Celtic, and it was all a huge change in my life. Magdalena came over and we set up home in Bothwell, Lanarkshire. It's a great place to live. I play golf with team-mates and Magdalena rides."

"The Celtic fans are incredible. I know they like me, and I have a great deal of respect for them, too. However, I didn't have the greatest of starts in a Celtic shirt. I was brought on against Hibernian away and, when I got the ball just outside our penalty area, I heard one of my team-mates calling for it. I looked down to pass the ball, but as I did he stepped away and a Hibs player had moved in. He scored and we lost 2-1. I knew I messed up and I was pretty disappointed."

"However, that season Celtic won the league and stopped Rangers making it 10 in a row. I knew there was great Old Firm rivalry, but as the season went on I had become aware of how important it was. The Celtic fans had been in agony for nine years, and we loved that we could finally deliver the Championship for them."

"We could have sewn it up away to Dunfermline, but we only got a draw, and I remember coming back to Parkhead and fans were crying, and saying, 'Please do it for us next week.' We did, we beat St Johnstone and then had the biggest party ever. I scored 16 goals in that 1997-98 season, but the following year was when I cracked in 39 goals, including 29 in the League."

 

 

1998-2000: BATTLING BACK FROM INJURY


"I made the squad for Euro 2000 at the last moment"

"For me, 1998-99 was great, but for the club it was a bad season because we didn't win the League, and we lost the Cup Final. The players around me were brilliant, they gave me the ball because they knew what sort of form I was in. I had great service, and a lot of luck. I was voted the best Swedish footballer in my home country, Players' Player of the Year, Sports Writers' Player of the Year, and that was very touching. Football is a team sport, but when you are recognised as an individual it really means something."

"Of course I was really looking forward to the next season, and it started very well. I scored seven goals in seven games and then we trotted off to Lyon for a UEFA Cup match against Olympique on 21 October and I broke my leg. Everybody saw what happened, and I suppose it's one of those things you have to face if you're a pro footballer."

"It was a bit frustrating last season, but I worked really hard and everyone at the club was brilliant. Magdalena has settled in Scotland really well. In a way, with the weather and everything, it's a lot like Sweden."

"The people here are fantastic and, although they recognise you, they give you space. If I'm having trouble understanding anyone they just talk slower. My son Jordan's growing up a Scot and when we can get a babysitter we go off to a nice restaurant or the pictures. We go back to Sweden quite regularly and I pop in at my old club, which is great. They are really pleased with what I've achieved."

"I made the squad for Euro 2000 at the last minute, and of course I was very excited. One of the coaches came and told me personally before it was announced and that was very nice. When I went to the training camp there were two places going, and I knew if I worked hard I had a chance of getting one of them. It was good to know that all that hard work had paid off."

"I said all along that I would simply go to the training camp and take one day at a time, and see how things went. Obviously, it went really well for me - the leg felt fine and my movement was good. I went into tackles without any fear, and that was nice to know. I got good advice and treatment. This was the goal I was working towards, but I didn't let myself get carried away."

"Unfortunately we really didn't perform to our potential during Euro 2000. We were in a tough group, but to be honest, as most professionals know these days, there are no easy teams. From a personal point of view, I was pleased that I had no problems with the leg and that I'd got back to full fitness. Now I'm just looking forward to a great season with Celtic."

 

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