Donati targets San Siro victory

Massimo Donati insists Celtic will go to AC Milan looking for a victory next month even though a point would carry them into the Champions League last 16.

With group leaders AC Milan already through, Celtic would only miss out if they lose at the San Siro and third-placed Shakhtar beat Benfica.

Donati said: "You always must go into a match looking for the win. If you don't get the win, you take the draw.

"If you go looking for a draw, it can go wrong and you can lose."

The Italian midfielder was the stoppage time goal-hero for Celtic in Wednesday's 2-1 victory over Shakhtar.

The substitute scored with almost the last kick of the ball to send Gordon Strachan's side three points clear of the Ukrainians.

But, since Shakhtar beat Celtic 2-0 in Donetsk on matchday one, the Scots will need to avoid finishing level on points with them.

"To score the goal at the end was something superb and I won't forget that," said Donati, who arrived in Glasgow from AC Milan in the summer.

Group D climaxes on 4 December, a week before all the other sections in the tournament, which is due to AC Milan's involvement in the World Club Championship.

Manager Strachan hailed his team's never-say-die spirit and thought Donati's experiences mirrored a turbulent night of high drama.

"It's funny - because he has a horrendous start to the day when I tell him he's not playing, and at the end of the day he's a hero.

"It's one of the nights he will always remember throughout his career.

"It shows you what football can do in less than 24 hours."

Striker Scott McDonald thought Celtic were worthy winners and was delighted to see Benfica pick up a point at home to AC Milan.

"It was the late show at Celtic Park again," said the Australian, who netted in the closing stages to beat Milan in October.

"We worked hard and I think we deserved it. It was one-way traffic for us for the first time in this group."

Looking ahead to the next round of games, he added: "Shakhtar will have their own support behind them.

"But Benfica have the incentive of Uefa Cup football now, if they win, and that's a good thing for us.

"We know we're through if we get a point, but we will be going for all three."

Celtic are waiting for the results of tests on defender John Kennedy who was forced off with an injury to his left knee.

Kennedy spent more than three years on the sidelines and had three operations after suffering a serious knee injury in March 2004.

"We are keeping our fingers crossed," said Strachan.

Source: BBC Sport