The ‘Best Celtic striker since Henrik Larsson’ Debate

The Celtic Star

·13 octobre 2024

The ‘Best Celtic striker since Henrik Larsson’ Debate

Who is the greatest Celtic striker since Larsson? Well it’s all about opinions, what’s yours?

21 May 2004 shows Celtic FC Swedish forward Henrik Larsson after scoring for his team during the soccer UEFA Final Cup agaisnt FC Porto Seville. (Photo CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Images)

It’s been twenty long years now Since Henrik Larsson left the club and we have never came close to replacing his talent. That’s not really surprising though as the King of Kings was a once in a generational talent and we may indeed never see his likes again for a considerable time.

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We have however had a few players who can lay claim to being the greatest striker since the King of Kings.

It’s all about opinions of course, but I reckon only a quartet of players have came close to being considered good enough to being as important to us as the great man himself.

1. Gary Hooper

Gary Hooper of Celtic celebrates after scoring his first goal during the Premier League match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on February 20, 2011. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

First up is Gary Hooper. A players signed by Neil Lennon for £2.4 million from Scunthorpe in 2010 and he more than proved his worth. Gary scored 82 goals in 138 appearances for the club in only three full seasons before ill advisedly moving to Norwich City. Hooper was a terrific forward. He had speed and skill and he was deadly in front of goal, and he did it on the biggest stage of all in Europe as well as domestically.

2. Moussa Dembele

Moussa Dembele celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and Manchester City FC at Celtic Park on September 28, 2016 (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

Next up is Moussa Dembele. A snip at £500,000 from Fulham the young Frenchman arrived just as Brendan Rodgers had agreed to become manager, although apparently it was Ronny Deila who had set the wheels in motion for Moussa’s signature. Moussa scored his first goal for the club from the penalty spot in a crucial European play off against Astana. For one so young he slotted home such a pressure filled penalty with such confidence that you knew he was going to be a star there and then.

Then just a month later he of course wrote himself into Celtic folklore by hitting a perfect hat trick as we thumped the Rangers 5-1 at Celtic Park. Moussa was also just as deadly on the biggest stage of all, and no one needs reminding of his display against Manchester City in that thrilling 3-3 draw in 2016. Moussa would go on to score 51 goals in just 94 games for the club before joining Lyon for a whopping £23 million in 2018.

3. Odsonne Edouard

25th May 2019, Hampden Park, Scottish Football Cup Final, Hearts v Celtic; Odsonne Edouard of Celtic celebrates after his goal in the 84th makes it 2-1 to Celtic winning the treble. Photo The Celtic Star

Next up is Moussa’s fellow countryman Odsonne Edouard. Unfortunately he and Moussa only had a short time together at the club, but Eddy more than made us forget all about Moussa. After a successful loan spell, Brendan splashed a then club record of £9 million on the PSG man. French Eddy paid that back and more by scoring 89 goals in 196 appearances. Cup final goals, derby goals, and European goals, Eddy had the lot. He was a superb player for us before moving to Crystal Palace for £14 million in 2021.

4. Kyogo Furuhashi

Kyogo Furuhashi scores the winning goal during the Scottish Premiership match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on September 03, 2023.(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Next up is our very own Japanese superstar and current player Kyogo. The little striker had a few games alongside Eddy, but when the Frenchman left, he sure made up for his absence. Sighed by Ange Postecoglou for £4.5 million back in 2021, Kyogo has more than proved his worth. 77 goals in 142 games and counting for the Japanese international. Kyogo is the player for the big occasion. Cup finals, Derby games, European games, Kyogo has been there and done it, with more to come. It’s not just his goalscoring ability, but his overall play. He’s a nuisance for defenders with his work rate and movement and his is without doubt a top class player.

27 August 2000: Henrik Larsson celebrates during the Scottish Premier League match against Rangers at Celtic Park. Celtic won the game 6 – 2. Photo: Stu Forster /Allsport

Henrik will never be emulated in my lifetime, but these four players can lay claim to being the best since the King of Kings in my opinion.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy