Celtic legend Henrik Larsson admits stepping inside Manchester United's star-studded dressing room was one of the 'scariest' moments of his playing career.
The Swedish icon was tempted to Old Trafford in December 2006 on a short-term loan by long-time admirer Sir Alex Ferguson who had previously eyed the goal machine during his days at Parkhead.
But Larsson - fresh from two years with world superstar Ronaldinho and Co at Barcelona - answered a United SOS to add experience to a side with their sights set on a first Premier League title in three seasons.
The forward's impact was telling before he returned to parent club Helsingborg for the remainder of the season.
Larsson's contributions earned him a winners' medal and a key role alongside rising stars such as Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.
But he admits there was a level of trepidation despite his envious CV that included a Champions League triumph with Barca only six months earlier.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “I was 35 at the time, I think. Coming into that dressing room was a little bit scary with all the players there, with all the trophies they’d won. It was a little bit intimidating.
“As soon as I was in the dressing room it was a nice bunch of lads, they welcome me. I really felt at home there, even though I was only there for 10 weeks I still think the way the club and the players took care of me while I was there was fantastic.”
With Larsson reminiscing about his days with United, that led Jamie Redknapp to ask if his Sky colleague Gary Neville was the leader inside the Old Trafford dressing room.
But the Swede responded: "He (Neville) was only moaning. I think that’s his way of preparing himself for everything, making sure he is in his bubble when he needs to be. You were very good though, Gary, I can say that.”
And Larsson also admitted that his full belief in his own abilities was the driving factor to choose a move to Barcelona once his Celtic contract expired in the summer of 2004.
He said: “I felt that I was good enough to play there but sometimes I had to pinch myself that I was there with players like Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o to mention a few.
“I felt like I could do it otherwise I wouldn’t have gone there. It was also something different for me.
“I came to Glasgow where I was the main man to Barcelona where I was just a squad player. It was different, I didn’t mind that.
“I was 33 at the time and felt it was a great opportunity for me to come to Barcelona and show everybody that didn’t believe I belonged at that level that I was good enough."
