Deadly Duo

Chris Sutton formed a formidable striking partnership with Henrik Larsson at Celtic, and forged a lifelong friendship too

- Gerry McDade

ON the pitch, they were a ruthless, clinical partnership whose contrasting styles suited each other perfectly. Off the pitch, they were and remain still, close friends with a healthy respect for each other both as players and individuals and, as such, Chris Sutton was delighted to discuss the merits of his greatest partner, Henrik Larsson, with the Celtic View.

Sutton’s football career had reached something of a crossroads by the summer of 2000, his move to Chelsea two years previously not having proved as successful as his previous spells with Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers had been. At the age of 27, he needed something positive to happen for him.

“I had a decision to make after a bad time at Chelsea,” the former Celtic striker explained. “Tottenham Hotspur, Middlesbrough and Celtic were in for me. To be honest, I felt Celtic were the best option for two reasons – Martin O’Neill and Henrik Larsson. I knew enough about Henrik – that he was a good international player who was scoring a lot of goals. I felt he had enough in him that would suit me as a player and I thought my style would work with him because he was an intelligent footballer who liked to play as a No.9. Did I think it would work just as well initially? Well, you never know, but I had an idea.”