Larsson hails Celtic's 'fantastic' Keane deal

(GETTY IMAGES)

Henrik Larsson has backed Robbie Keane to be a hit at Celtic following the Ireland striker's dramatic signing for his boyhood heroes, but believes the loanee from Spurs will need the full support of his team-mates to overhaul Rangers at the top of the Premier League.

Rangers have a 10-point advantage over their rivals and Parkhead legend Larsson believes every member of the Celtic team will have to play their part between now and the end of the season if they are to claw back the deficit.

He said: "It's a lot of work and it's not only up to Robbie – it's the whole team that has to do it. I know they will never give up as long as there are the points to play for, that's what it takes to play for Celtic.

"You give it your all and then see at the end of the season if you manage or not. There are always high expectations on you there, you've got to win the league and that's every year. You have to be able to live with the pressure.

"It's fantastic news for Celtic to get a striker of his quality. From what I understand, he is a great fan of Celtic as well and that's very important. He will know how important it is for the fans to play well."

Despite being unveiled after midnight, thousands of Celtic fans flocked to Parkhead to welcome the arrival of Keane, and Larsson added: "It's fantastic up there, the Celtic fans are unbelievable.

"The way they support the team and get behind the team is fantastic. I'm not surprised they turned out in numbers because he's a very good striker and he deserves it. They were very nice to me when I was in the city, the fans were fantastic. There were never any problems, from Celtic or Rangers. They always treated you with respect. I think that depends on how you are as a person as well and what I know of Robbie Keane as a guy is that he's very down to earth."

Keane has so far refused to comment on whether he might stay beyond the end of the season, when his loan expires.

But Larsson added that he felt the man who will now wear the famous No 7 shirt he once wore will relish life as part of the Old Firm.