English eyes focusing on glamorous Swedes turning up at Celtic forgot that the Scottish champions already have one of their own. Thus the England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson found himself on the undercard last night as Henrik Larsson reminded the Continent that he is still around and prospering.
After the perceived injustice of last week in Turin, Larsson's predatory strike eight minutes before half-time gave Celtic their first Champions League points.
Martin O'Neill, forced to the stands by UEFA for complaining in Italy, was stomping his feet in celebration this time. Eriksson was less moved by his compatriot's intervention, but the England manager will have left with a good impression of his reason for being here: Chris Sutton. Sutton was controlled and athletic throughout.
O'Neill's statement pre-match that "We want to go flat-out for a win," was clearly demonstrated as the Celtic manager selected the more attacking figure of Bobby Petta ahead of Alan Thompson. Other than that there were no changes from Turin.
Except O'Neill's absence from the touchline of course. The standing-up-beside-the-dugout-looking-agitated task went to Joh Robertson.
At first Petta, Sutton and then Larsson were hauled to the ground by some vigorous Portuguese challenges - all unpunished by referee Dick Jol. But Porto's obstinacy was more than just robust. Well-organised in defence the Portuguese also revealed early attacking possibilities. Capucho, the captain, was particularly prominent, so too the languid midfielder Parades.
It was the right-back Hugo Ibarra who was involved in the first significant piece of action in the 24th minute. Advanced about one yard into the Celtic area, Ibarra was barged to the turf by Petta. It would have sent a Juventus striker into the next galaxy, but nothing was given.
Celtic had produced nothing near as conclusive at that point. Larsson had scooped a difficult chance wide in the 16th minute and then a slick one-two between Larsson and Sutton resulted in another Larsson shot.
It did not amount to cohesive momentum, however. Then a 35th-minute run down the left by Joos Valgaeren galvanised Celtic in the way a defender's charge can.
The volume soared. One corner was won and then another. From the first Didier Agathe had a header cleared by Parades, but from the second, from Petta, a scramble ensued with Sutton at its heart. The ball ran to Larsson who clipped it in from six yards. It was his ninth goal in 12 games this season.
The second half began promisingly for Celtic, in similar style. Sutton will have won a nod of approval from Eriksson for a skilful knockdown to Larsson, which Larsson drilled narrowly wide, and Sutton then outjumped his marker again to maintain Celtic's progress.
It was already a different, more open game. With Porto forced into a change of tempo, midfield became extended and the Brazilian Deco became an influence for the first time.
Ricardo Carvalho surged forward 60 yards, evading two flimsy Celtic attempts at challenges along the way. Carvalho's shot was easily dealt with by Robert Douglas, but less than two minutes later the Celtic goalkeeper could not manage even a fingertip to Capucho's low 20-yard drive.
Luckily for Douglas, the ball cracked back off his post. Porto missed another opportunity when Capuccho was teed up by Ibarra. Valgaeren it was who terminated this little spell of Porto pressure.
CELTIC: Douglas, Balde, Mjallby, Valgaeren, Agathe, Lennon, Lambert, Petrov (McNamara 89), Petta (Thompson 68), Sutton, Larsson. Subs Not Used: Kharine, Sylla, Hartson, Tebily, Moravcik. Goals: Larsson 36.
FC PORTO: Ovchinnikov, Ibarra (Postiga 76), Jorge Costa, Carvallo, Mario (Junior 45), Paredes, Andrade, Costinho (Alenitchev 45), Deco, Capucho, Pena. Subs Not Used: Santos, Candido Costa, Clayton, Ricardo Silva. Booked: Ibarra.
Referee: J Dick (Holland)
