Hartson (right) set up Larsson's goal

Souness' cat and mouse games were at an end over Damien Duff, with the Republic of Ireland international returning from injury to start the game in place of David Dunn.

Former Manchester United and England striker Andy Cole was left on the bench.

Defender Henning Berg missed out having picked up an injury on Wednesday in training and Craig Short came in.

The return of Rab Douglas in place of Jonathan Gould was the only change from the Celtic side that defeated Dunfermline at East End Park on Sunday.

Celtic looked nervous in the opening moments but were the first to threaten after nine minutes.

Didier Agathe whipped in a cross that found Stilian Petrov unmarked 14 yards out and the Bulgarian's powerful header was superbly saved by Brad Friedel.

The American goalkeeper was again on hand to save a Henrik Larsson header on the line.

Blackburn should have been ahead after 12 minutes when a deflection fell kindly to David Thompson 16 yards out.

But Douglas matched Friedel by blocking the midfielder's drive.

Blackburn began to dominate possession, frustrating Celtic and picking their passes into the box.

Celtic were chasing ghosts, lying dangerously deep and being forced to rely on some desperate, last-ditch defending to remain level.

Rival bosses: Graeme Souness and Martin O'Neill

Souness went for the jugular, bringing Cole on for the less mobile Egil Ostenstad at half-time.

Former Rangers midfielder Tugay was again controlling play, but Celtic broke clear and Friedel had to get down quickly to hold a low drive from Sutton.

Action was now end to end, but neither side could fashion a clear-cut chance.

Dunn had come on for the tiring Duff and his drive from 20 yards was pushed wide by Douglas.

John Hartson was brought on for Paul Lambert and he was instrumental in the winning goal.

A Thompson corner was headed down by the unmarked Welshman, Lucas Neill blocked on the line, but Larsson was there to prod the ball home.

Celtic: Douglas, Valgaeren, Balde, Laursen, Agathe, Lennon, Lambert, Petrov, Thompson, Larsson, Sutton. Subs: Gould, Sylla, Hartson, Fernandez, Maloney, Guppy, Crainey.

Blackburn: Friedel, Neill, Short, Johansson, Taylor, Thompson, Flitcroft, Tugay, Duff, Ostenstad, Yorke. Subs: Dunn, Cole, Jansen, Grabbi, Kelly, Gillespie, Douglas.

Referee: Hermann Albrecht (Kaufbeuren).