On this day in 1997, Henrik Larsson scored a remarkable diving header. It was his first league goal for the club, coming against the same team who he would score his last league goal against that season. No prizes for knowing that St Johnstone were the opponents in question, the Perthshire club becoming one of many victims to Henrik Larsson in the SPL era.
After a disastrous start to life in Paradise, Henrik quickly made amends when he passed the ball out wide, drove into the box and then flew through the air to set Celtic on their way to a first league win of the campaign. The King of Kings had already scored for the club in a League Cup match against Berwick Rangers, which Celtic won 7-0, but the SPL was where it really counted in season 1997/98 as the club aimed to stop the ten.
23rd August 1997, St Johnstone 0:2 Celtic.
Larsson and Jackson. pic.twitter.com/TllBP221Gg
— Li’l Ze (@LilZe_7) August 22, 2021
With another 18 strikes before the end of the season, Henrik helped the Hoops to do just that. 23 August 1997 – a new king was born.
