Football: Larsson back for Old Firm crunch match

Henrik Larsson provided Celtic with a boost yesterday morning when he was declared fit for today's Old Firm derby. The Swedish striker's participation had been in doubt after he missed last week's defeat at St Johnstone with a damaged hamstring.

The Celtic manager, Wim Jansen, also confirmed that his central defensive pair of Marc Rieper and Alan Stubbs were fit again, and ready to shackle the threat of Marco Negri.

Frenchman Stephane Mahe has failed to recover in time, however, meaning the captain, Tom Boyd, will probably be the one earmarked to track Rangers' Danish striker, Brian Laudrup.

With nine goals in their last two games, Rangers boss Walter Smith is unlikely to make substantial changes. Gascoigne's relative lack of sharpness after missing five games through suspension, means he will probably be involved at some stage.