Source: Team_Talk
Boyd: Even Larsson had a dry patch
Vennegoor of Hesselink has only scored in one game this season, a brace in September's 3-2 win over Aberdeen, and is battling with the equally shot-shy Georgios Samaras to play alongside Scott McDonald in Sunday's Co-operative Insurance Cup final against Rangers.
Larsson entered Celtic folklore with 242 goals in 315 games for the club between 1997 and 2004 but Boyd recalled his former team-mate was criticised when he went three games without a goal in his final season.
Boyd, who played for the Parkhead club between 1992 and 2003, may be accused by Celtic fans of of blasphemy by comparing Larsson with Vennegoor of Hesselink, but the the former Scotland defender tried to offer some succour to the off-form Holland international.
"The manager has to decide which of the two strikers will play alongside
Scott McDonald," Boyd said.
"I would certainly go with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink; I think Scott is more comfortable with him at this moment in time.
"Jan's not putting the ball in the back of the net just now but he does other things and what better place to do it than in a cup final against your biggest rivals.
"I've got sympathy for him.
"Everyone goes through this wee spell; even the mighty Henrik Larsson had a wee spell.
"He didn't go as long without a goal as big Jan but I think he went about three games without a goal towards his last season and people were questioning him, saying he wasn't trying a leg, but that was nonsense.
"Henrik didn't change; he was the same player every single game.
"Obviously, he was delighted he broke his duck against Aberdeen and he went on to score another barrowload for Celtic.
"Big Jan is out there trying his best but unfortunately he's not getting the breaks in front of goals.
"If he does get them then I'm sure it will change.
"I think Jan can do that. Confidence is a massive thing in football and, if he can get one goal, whether it be a lucky one, a free-kick, a deflection or something, it will give him a huge boost.
"I'm sure if he gets one, he will go on to get a few more."
While Gordon Strachan ponders what to do with two strikers who cannot score at the moment, Rangers boss Walter Smith's biggest problem this week has been with a forward who has few problems in that area.
Kris Boyd was sent packing from the club's Murray Park training ground on Monday after receiving a dressing down from Smith over his attitude at being dropped for Sunday's Homecoming Scottish Cup win over Hamilton.
The former Kilmarnock striker, with 24 goals to his credit this season, returned to training on Wednesday, where he cleared the air with Smith, but looks unlikely to start at Hampden.
His namesake believes the absence of Boyd would be a boost to the Hoops' defence.
He said: "If he doesn't start then I'm sure Celtic will be delighted because he gives Rangers something; he is someone who can come alive inside the box and put the ball in the back of the net.
"Defenders don't like that, they like to watch players outside the box and then they can recover inside the box.
"But Kris Boyd is the one who comes alive inside the box and he is certainly one who would cause so many problems for the defence and I'm sure they will delighted if he is not playing.
"But Rangers have options: Kenny Miller gives you something different with his pace and they have the stature of Kyle Lafferty, if Walter decides to go with two up in attack."
Rangers 13/8, Celtic 7/4, Draw 11/5
