Celtic can finish job, says Gemmell

LISBON Lion, Tommy Gemmell, believes victory for Celtic over AC Milan next week would give them the momentum and confidence to go all the way to the Champions League final in Athens.

Celtic head to Italy for Wednesday’s second leg of their last-16 clash with the European heavyweights.

Having held Milan to a goalless draw at Parkhead, Gemmell — who scored in Celtic’s 1967 European Cup success against Inter Milan — believes Gordon Strachan’s side can finish off the job.

Gemmell said: “It’ll be very difficult in Milan, in front of 70,000 Milan fans, but they play here in front of huge crowds so they can handle it.

“After all, they’re not playing against the crowd, they are against 11 players.

“It’s important they didn’t lose a goal here and if they can score a goal there then Milan will need two, so it’s not beyond them. If you get through by putting Milan out in Milan then there is no reason why they should fear anyone else in the competition. This is a huge game.”

Gemmell insists Celtic must frustrate Milan early in the San Siro.

“In the last two matches away from home we’ve lost early goals, so they have to consolidate early on and keep it tight,” he said.