Juninho will focus on making goals with the same consistency as Henrik Larsson scored them on the day he was handed the Swede's No 7 shirt by Celtic.

The Brazilian, who had hero status on Teesside, paraded at Parkhead yesterday after completing his move from Middlesbrough and signing a two-year contract with the Bank of Scotland Premier League champions.

The diminutive playmaker rightly insists he and Larsson - who joined Barcelona this summer - cannot be compared because they play different positions but he accepts there is a responsibility to make as big an impact as the Swede, albeit in midfield.

''I'm not here to replace Henrik Larsson or be compared to him,'' said Juninho.

''He is a different type of player and a good goalscorer but whatever shirt I wear I will try to do my best for the club.

''I know Henrik Larsson has been great for this club and played very well here so I just hope to have the same success as him.

''I think the fans know I'm not a goalscorer and I am more a playmaker. I have never been a goalscorer in the Premiership.

''I will try to do my best but I don't have to focus on scoring goals. My focus is on making goals.''

A delighted Martin O'Neill also tried to play down the significance of handing him the ''magnificent seven'' strip which has also been worn by Lisbon Lion Jimmy Johnstone.

He said: ''He is not going to break Henrik's goalscoring record and it would be a surprise if he did.

''The reason I have signed him is because he will add something a wee bit different to us. I want him to pick the ball up and go at players.

''There were two numbers for him in the first 15 or 16 - a number two and a number seven. I didn't see him as a big burly right-back so he has taken the seven.

''In this day and age it still means something and wonderful players have worn the shirt.

''Jimmy Johnstone is one of the best players ever to have graced Parkhead and Henrik wore it with distinction and I think he (Juninho) will do great.''

Juninho was lured to Parkhead with the guarantee of Champions League football this season and he had no hesitation in backing his new club to make the last 16 and even the last eight.

Celtic have yet to make the lucrative latter stages of Europe's premier club competition, in its current group format, but the talented playmaker believes that is about to change.

Juninho continued: ''It won't happen because of me or any other player coming.

''The Celtic players have done very well in the last few years in the Champions League and in Europe with the team that was already here.

''So they should go through to the last 16, not because of me but because of the way Celtic have played during the last few years.

''I think this year they have a great opportunity to go through to the last 16 and maybe the last eight.

''Celtic have got bigger and bigger in European competition so a lot of credit must go to the manager and the players. I just want to be part of that progress from now on.''

Celtic are confident of getting a work permit in time for him to make his debut in the first Old Firm derby of the season at Parkhead on Sunday.