Henrik Larsson, one of Celtic’s most revered legends, has opened up about the one Scottish stadium he never enjoyed playing at during his celebrated career, and it is not the usual Old Firm rival Ibrox.
In a recent conversation with Gary Neville, Larsson cited Easter Road, the home of Hibernian FC, as a ground he found particularly tough to visit during his time in Scottish football.
Larsson, who scored 242 goals in 315 appearances for Celtic between 1997 and 2004, enjoyed enormous success in Glasgow, helping the club to multiple league titles and domestic cups, and earning the affectionate nickname “King of Kings” among the Celtic faithful.
According to Larsson’s remarks, Easter Road stood out because it was the stadium where he made his professional debut and conceded a late winning goal.
That early memory apparently stayed with him, making later visits to the Edinburgh ground psychologically harder compared with other Scottish venues.
Larsson’s legacy across Scottish football and why Easter Road stood out
Larsson’s impact on Scottish football cannot be overstated. Joining Celtic from Feyenoord in 1997, he immediately became one of the most prolific scorers in the Scottish Premier League, combining clinical finishing with leadership on the pitch.
His seven-year spell at Celtic included not only domestic honours but also memorable European nights, cementing his status as a Celtic great.
Easter Road’s reputation among Celtic players often centres on its compact, atmospheric setting, coupled with a passionate Hibernian fanbase that can make noise throughout a match.
For visiting forwards, negotiating the pitch and hostile crowd conditions adds an edge that goes beyond rivalry intensity.
Larsson revealed during his interview with Neville, that he lost that game, and the memory stuck with him, which is why he never loved to go back there.
FGG Says
This pretty much captures what many fans feel but never hear from the players themselves. Henrik Larsson’s story about Easter Road shows that football is not just about trophies or rivalry narrative, it’s about very real, very personal moments.
Even legends can hold onto a single tough memory, and for Larsson, it was a ground where his professional journey began with disappointment rather than glory.
That honesty deepens respect for his career, and underscores how much emotion is tied to the places players visit, not just the scorelines they produce. Whether it is Parkhead or Easter Road, these stadiums are where the game’s intangible history is made.