Split loyalties for Henrik Larsson over Celtic versus hometown club Helsingborg

The former Sweden striker became a Celtic hero for his exploits during his time at Parkhead but started and ended his playing career with the Allsvenskan outfit.

The media interest following Friday’s draw reminded Larsson of when he played for Barcelona against the Glasgow side in 2004.

Talking to Celtic’s official website, he said: “It reminds me of when I was at Barcelona and we were drawn in the Champions League against Celtic.

“My phone never stopped and yesterday was no different.

“I came out of training and had about 15 missed calls. I thought to myself that Celtic must have got Helsingborg in the qualifier.

“But this is a really tough one for me and I am caught in the middle between Celtic and Helsingborg.

“Helsingborg gave me a start in European football and Celtic made me the player I was, so it is not easy for me to pick one over the other.”

Celtic travel to Sweden for the first game on 21 August, with the return game taking place at Celtic Park the following Wednesday and Larsson believes that might suit the Scottish champions.

He added: “It won’t be easy for Celtic to go and pick up a win, but if I was pushed I would say that having the home match second may just give a slight advantage to them.

“A lot of people have mentioned Helsingborg’s start to the season but they are the champions and finished second the previous season.

“If you look at how they play they are very good defensively and don’t concede many goals.”

A little more spice was added to the tie when Alejandro Bedoya signed for Helsingborg on Friday after leaving Rangers.

The United States midfielder, 25, decided against staying with the Ibrox club who are now in Irn-Bru Division Three.

Helsingborg Sports Director Jesper Jansson said Bedoya “is a player type we need.”

Bedoya previously spent two and a half years in Sweden with Orebro SK before joining Rangers in 2011.

The Swedish season started in late March.