Gemmell dreaming of Athens

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: “If they can go to Milan and get through there is reason why they can’t go all the way.

“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.

“It will be difficult but 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 on in the San Siro.

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

“Then see how it settles down. They must be careful and not lose early goals.”

The 63-year-old club legend believes this season’s Champions League run has been a great experience for the young Celtic players.

He said: “It’s been a learning process and if you are going to be successful at Celtic then you need to handle these situations. They have the ability to win matches and they have players who can score goals.”

He also had praise for Darren O’Dea, the young central defender who has come into the first team due to a raft of injuries this year.

“Darren has great ability,” said Gemmell. “He reads the game well at the back, is very safe and has even scored goals. He looks as though he could do the business.”