Henrik Larsson will be back in Glasgow on Sunday to take in the first Old Firm game in almost three years.

 

The Swede gained iconic status during his time with Celtic in which he scored 242 goals in 315 appearances for the club.

As Celtic take on Rangers in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden - the first meeting between the clubs since April 2012 - Larsson will be among the crowd to cheer on the Hoops.

Former Celt Vidar Riseth explained: "Henrik and I will be meeting up with a few of the guys from our time at the club to go and see the game. We are all very excited for it.

"We're going to catch up with Craig Burley and a couple of others, and hopefully see Celtic win the game. It is such a great fixture to be involved in and although nothing compares to playing in it, it is also exciting to go and watch it and take in the atmosphere.

"You can leave Celtic - but Celtic doesn't leave you. Like many players who have played for the club, I continue to have a strong affection for them. I can't wait to come back and see the game."

Meanwhile, Riseth has warned Deila that he MUST win the Old Firm derby.

The former Celtic defender has spoken to his fellow-Norwegian repeatedly since the draw was made and he has underlined just how much Deila's reputation will be affected by what he does against Rangers.

"This is the game that the fans remember," he said. "I speak to Ronny often on the telephone and I will speak to him before and after the game on Sunday.

"He didn't ask me for advice as such, but he did want to know everything about the fixture - I told him the most important thing he has to know is that he must win the game. It is all that matters.

" The fans want success and they want to win the league and the cups - but it is so important for any Celtic team to beat Rangers. I think he understands that."

And Riseth has revealed the interest in Norway in Sunday's game has been phenomenal.

"The game is live on TV here in Norway and all week I have been answering phone calls from journalists wanting to know about the fixture," he said.

"As Norwegians we are very proud that Ronny is in charge of Celtic for this game. It is one of the most famous derby matches in the world and I don't think there are many that compare to it.

"I think Ronny is looking forward to it, but I think he will be surprised by just how intense an experience it is. There is no other game or derby that will compare to it."