KTF Reviews

The Bhoy Who Would Be King.

Freemantle Media.

DVD £19.99 VHS £15.99

If, like me, you were brought up on stories of Celtic Legends, players you never actually saw in The Hoops, but knew enough about, because their memory was kept alive by the Grand Da', your Da' or some other Celtic supporting family member, then this is the perfect reference, that will allow you to show your kids, or their kids or anyone who will listen, just what a Celtic Legend Henrik Larsson most certainly was, and, for the time being, still is.

“Freemantle Media” may have rushed this out for the Christmas market, and the flimsy quality of the casing does suggest that, but what they have done is produce an historical record for future generations of The Celtic Family.

I was raised on a diet of Thomson, McGrory and Charlie Tully: players I could only imagine; players whose qualities I was well aware of, but had never actually witnessed.

This feature will help all us 21 st Century Tims validate our claims of bestowing greatness on one of the modern game's most prolific goal-scorers - a Celtic Legend, indeed!

In years to come, I will be able to point out that his debut for The Hoops, against Hibernian at Easter Road, perhaps didn't exactly endear him to the Celtic Faithful and, by his own admission, “made Chick Charnley a Big Man”! But, who would ever have imagined that that match in Edinburgh would probably be the one, and only time, we would ever question his ability.

The King of Kings' goal, when he receives a knock down from Chris Sutton, nutmegs that diddy Konterman and deftly chips the ball over Klot's head in the 6-2 Demolition of The Huns, is quite rightly singled out for particular praise. As is his habit of, not only scoring against the Huns, but his ability to set up others to do so.

Just in case his quality is ever questioned, his European goal scoring record is also highlighted, along with his quality at international level; Sweden's 3 rd place at USA'94 being a particularly proud achievement of his.

Well produced, with just the right balance of interviews and goal montages, you won't find out too much about Henrik the individual. But, there are tantalizing glimpses. We find out that his way of dealing with the media is simple, yet effective. He doesn't pay any attention to them; instead pointing out that he doesn't need Scotland's journalists to tell him if he's played well or not - his team-mates will do that for him.

The career threatening leg break that Henrik suffered against Lyon is covered in a matter of fact fashion by the great man. The disappointment of Seville, although not discussed in great detail, obviously still hurts him deeply.

The measure of the man's modesty is shown in how he dedicates the many awards and accolades he has received to his fellow professionals, and also in the way he discusses how the future of Celtic is looking good, thanks to the number of promising young players who are pushing their way through into the first team at Celtic Park.

The great, the good and, in the case of Dario Franchitti, the obscure, all have their say on the phenomenon that is Henrik Larsson. Unsurprisingly, Brian Quinn decides to show that once a bank manager, always a bank manager, and gushes about the great piece of business it was in getting Henrik for such a small fee. Henrik's slant on this is to state, quite bluntly, that no one else wanted him when Wim Jansen enquired about his availability.

The Celtic fans also have a starring role, and their input is balanced and well intentioned, although one fellow's suggestion about retiring the No.7 jersey is a wee bit embarrassing.

As you would expect, this is a tribute and celebration of the great man's goal-scoring - and there are goals aplenty!

In years to come, when Henrik is a distant memory, and someone asks just how good he actually was, you will be able to dig this out of your Celtic Legend's DVD collection and show them HIS true magnificence.

Treasure it - it may be a long while before we see his likes again.

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN – THE BHOY WHO DID BECOME THE KING OF KINGS!