Double Whammy!

Celtic Fall To Milan At The San Siro And Rangers At Parkhead

AC Milan went though to the Champions League quarter-finals for the sixth consecutive season but they needed extra time to secure a 1-0 victory over Celtic at the San Siro. Kaká finished clinically after a brilliant run three minutes into overtime, as the six-times European champions finally breached Celtic's resolute rearguard and silenced the vociferous away support.

On Sunday Ugo Ehiogu was Rangers' unlikely match-winner at Parkhead with an overhead kick that sealed Celtic's first home defeat in the SPL for 16 months. Celtic dominated in the first half, but their finishing was poor. They also had a shout for a clear penalty denied when Ehiogu brought down Aiden McGeady. Rangers were better in the second half, getting the upper hand with Celtic ending up frustrated.

Jiri Jarosik placed the blame for Celtic's Champions League exit on Austrian referee Konrad Plautz. "I realize that Milan had many goalscoring chances," he said. "But we have to look at the penalty incidents and feel that we were hard done by. It is very hard to take to go out like that." Jarosik believes that if the referee had done his job properly, the outcome would have been different. I felt we should have had a penalty with the Maldini handball and there was the Nakamura incident," said Jarosik. "The linesman should have helped the referee on the handball decision but he was an arrogant man, he didn't speak to us and he looked as if he wanted to help AC Milan more."

A Celtic fan died after being knocked down by a taxi on the eve of the clash in Milan. Raymond Donnelly, 36, was crossing the northern Italian city's Via Santa Sofia when he was hit by the car last Tuesday night. The father of two was taken to hospital suffering from serious head injuries but was pronounced dead at 1am. Police in Milan said he had been trying to cross the road at 11.27pm when a cab carrying a passenger struck him. Former Celtic captain and manager Billy McNeill spoke of his shock at the news: "This is an absolute tragedy. You've got a guy who's gone over there with his pals for a smashing trip and this happens."

It had been generally accepted that Neil Lennon, now 35, would leave Parkhead in the summer after agreeing to a one-year contract extension at the same point last year. Last Wednesday was the midfielder's 26th consecutive start in a Champions League game, evidence if required that he retains an ability to perform at the top level. And the Irishman has gained fresh impetus from Celtic's memorable European campaign. When asked if he had played his last Champions League match he replied: "I wouldn't take that as read. Nights like that make it all worthwhile. I might be around next year to have another go at it. I'll sit down with the manager in a few weeks' time and we'll see what happens. I have enjoyed this year; it was totally unexpected. It would be difficult to give all this up and give the captaincy up too, because that means a lot to me. I'll just see what the club have to offer, if they are going to make me an offer. And if both parties are happy then we will see what happens. I'm very proud of that record," he continued. "Getting through to the last 16 was also a big monkey off my back. We have a good manager and a good structure at the club. Hopefully we can take things on from here."

Celtic star Artur Boruc has reportedly been targeted by Milan as they continue their search for a new goalkeeper. Current No 1 Nelson Dida has not extended his contract with the San Siro outfit, which expires in June, and seems set to join Barcelona despite the Blaugrana denying the latest transfer reports. At the time being, Gianluigi Buffon remains the first name on the club's wish list, but Boruc's saves in the Champions League first knockout round matches against Milan impressed them. The Polish international is contracted to Celtic until 2009, with an option for an extra year, but reports suggest the Diavoli hope to convince him to leave the Bhoys in advance.

Celtic defender Steven Pressley hopes he has convinced Scotland coach Alex McLeish to pick him for this month's clash with Italy. Pressley is suspended for the Euro 2008 qualifier against Georgia on March 24, because of the red card he received against Ukraine in October. However he is desperate to face the Italians four days later and will be available for the match in Bari, with new boss McLeish currently assessing his options for both games. The 32-cap central defender said: "Other people have the opportunity to stake a claim under the new manager while I'm suspended, but I hope Alex sticks by me. If other players come in and do well, I might have to be patient - that's football."