THE STAGE is now set for a winner-takes-all thriller at the San Siro on March 7, after tonight’s meeting with AC Milan resulted in stalemate in the first leg at Celtic Park.

Although the score remained at 0-0 come the final whistle, this was both an entertaining and encouraging performance from a Celtic side who were missing several experienced players.

With the stadium packed to capacity and in full voice some 15 minutes before kick-off, with the Jock Stein Stand shimmering in green, white and gold flags, this game had all the hallmarks of a classic European encounter.

And as the chorus of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ reached a near-deafening crescendo, there was growing feeling that even a Milan side tried and tested at the highest levels could be cowed or at least intimidated in such an atmosphere.

The supporters most certainly helped as Gordon Strachan’s men matched their opponents in every department throughout the opening 45 minutes and came close on several occasions to edging in front of their Italian opponents.

From the outset, club captain Neil Lennon was a snapping, terrier-like presence in the heart of the midfield, partnered by the impressive Evander Sno, while Milan were immediately unsettled when Yoann Gourcuff was flattened by a firm, but wholly fair challenge, by Mark Wilson in the opening minutes.

Moments later a Shunsuke Nakamura free-kick from the right flashed within inches of Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink some six yards out and this effort was followed by a tame attempt from Kenny Miller, which was fired straight at Zeljko Kalac.

Milan would admittedly go on to enjoy the better chances in this half, firing in three attempts on target compared to Celtic’s two, but Artur Boruc was in truth rarely troubled as the relatively inexperienced pairing of Stephen McManus and Darren O’Dea shadowed Alberto Gilardino and Kaka expertly.

One attempt on goal fell for Gourcuff, after a curling ball from playmaker Andrea Pirlo, although when Gilardino did finally slip away from O’Dea, Celtic would have fortune to thank for the let-off.

The Italian’s run across the back four was found by Kaka after Milan broke with pace from defence, but the striker then fired his shot inches beyond the far post and when the half closed it did so with a free-kick from Shunsuke Nakamura.

There was a roar of anticipation as the Japanese midfielder stepped up to curl a ball over the wall, which was parried and then collected by Kalac and in the second half, Celtic’s number 25 curled a second set-piece wide of the target.

But with 52 minutes on the clock, former Rangers midfielder, Rino Gattuso, undoubtedly squandered the chance of the match, driving the ball inches past Boruc’s left-hand post after breaking from the midfield.

By the hour-mark Carlo Ancelotti’s men finally looked to have settled to the task and as they twice broke forward from midfield in quick succession, Gordon Strachan re-dressed the balance, bringing on Jiri Jarosik for Kenny Miller.

This left Vennegoor of Hesselink to plough a lone furrow up front, although while the change succeeded in plugging the gaps in the middle of the park, there were chances remaining for Celtic with Lee Naylor thumping a shot wide from the edge of the box.

As the Scottish champions continued to work hard and contain their opponents, Milan’s frustration was most evident when Gilardino was booked for a ludicrous dive inside the box late in the game and as the final whistle approached, Celtic came close as the pressure mounted with a late rally.

This Celtic side will certainly have learned from this experience and with several first team players close to making a return from injury, Gordon Strachan will have further options next month in Milan.

But they will also be wary of a talented AC Milan side who showed in flashes their outstanding ability and depth in quality throughout the 90 minutes.

WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH: Evander Sno

CELTIC (4-4-2) Boruc; Wilson, McManus, O’Dea, Naylor; Nakamura, Lennon (Gravesen 82), Sno, McGeady; Miller (Jarosik 63), Vennegoor of Hesselink.
Subs: Brown, Telfer, Riordan, Perrier-Doumbe, Kennedy.
AC MILAN (4-4-2) Kalac; Oddo, Kaladze (Bonera 63), Maldini, Jankulovski; Gourcuff, Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kaka, Gilardino (Oliviera 77).
Subs: Storari, Cafu, Costacurta, Simic, Brocchi.

I just hope Celtic can now go to the San Siro and win.

Especially since I HATE AC Milan and think they shouldn't even be in the damn champions league!

i was at both. celtic were shockin in the first game n then we played and sang our hearts out in meeeeeeelan. we never look like scoring though and this is a concern.


hail hail