By Colin Moffat

As Celtic fans choke back the tears, coming to terms with the departure of star striker Henrik Larsson, manager Martin O'Neill can't waste time with mawkish sentiment as he seeks a replacement for the club's all-time third top scorer.

Larsson, who has scored an incredible 240 goals in his seven years at Celtic Park, will be a tough act to follow.

So, who can Celtic bring in to keep the goals flowing and capture the imagination of a passionate support, who virtually deify Larsson?

The 30-year-old Brazilian recently trained with Celtic and O'Neill is keen to have another look at the player - possibly on the club's summer tour of America.

Amoroso, who has twice commanded transfer fees in excess of �15m, is a proven scorer at the highest level with Parma and Borussia Dortmund.

But injury has blighted his career and, with the high wages he is sure to demand, may be seen as too much of a risk.

The Brazilian legend is apparently being courted by Celtic as his on-off move to Bolton continues to drag.

A World Cup winner in 2002 and runner-up in 1998, he is a player of sublime talent but his best days may be behind him.

Since he left Barcelona in 2002, he spent most of the time on the sidelines at AC Milan and a move back to his homeland with Cruzeiro didn't work out.

A man who has scored 33 goals in 68 appearances for Brazil would surely run riot against Scottish defences but is he the kind of player to bust a gut for the team on a January night in Aberdeen?

The baby-faced assassin is now 31 and has been repeatedly linked with moves to Celtic over the years.

The Norwegian has been at Manchester United since 1996 and has spurned chances to go elsewhere despite never commanding a regular starting place.

115 goals for United is proof of his deadly goal-scoring instincts and he is versatile enough to play out wide and provide chances for others.

Sure to be a big hit if he moved to Glasgow but looks certain to remain loyal to the Old Trafford cause.

The Republic of Ireland international would be a hugely popular choice at Celtic Park, if he can be prised away from Tottenham.

He has scored goals everywhere he's been apart from a brief, and perhaps ill-advised, move to Inter Milan and has the bubbly personality that appeals to fans.

However, it is unlikely Spurs would be willing to let their leading scorer go and, at 24, Keane may want to remain in the Premiership, despite the lure of European football on offer at Celtic.

The 30-year-old French international will leave Arsenal in the summer and could be the answer for Celtic.

Often deployed in a wide midfield role at Highbury, he is more effective as a central striker and will be in the French squad for Euro 2004.

He has been linked with moves to Paris St Germain and Werder Bremen but has not yet decided where his future lies.

The diminutive Spaniard is a proven scorer in the SPL, having knocked in 25 goals for Dundee this season.

Debt-crippled Dundee would not be hard to deal with and it would be a dream move for the former Raith Rovers striker.

Not the big name the Celtic fans are after and the signing of David Fernandez from Livingston in 2002 didn't work out, although they are different kinds of players and Fernandez's chances were limited due to the presence of a certain Mr Larsson.

Fernandez will return from his loan spell at his old club but is not an out-and-out scorer.

The youngsters already on Celtic's books may be given the chance to shine now Larsson has gone.

A cruciate injury will keep Maloney out until the end of the year but he has never let the team down when given the opportunity. Small, nippy and very useful from free kicks, he could yet have a big future at Celtic Park.

Big and strapping, Beattie is in a similar mould to team-mates Chris Sutton and John Hartson but has looked a little cumbersome at times and may need another season or two under his belt.