Celtic manager Martin O'Neill yesterday laughed off a cheeky question about his future with the club. The Scottish champions are in danger of crashing out of Europe after three Champions League defeats to Barcelona, AC Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk.

But it was still a surprise to hear a Ukrainian journalist asking whether he feared the sack if his side failed to beat Donetsk at Celtic Park tonight.

"Has he joined our press corps?" asked a surprised O'Neill. "He's obviously been planted by someone."

Celtic have conceded 12 goals in their last four games and three against all of their Champions League opponents this season, but O'Neill was not afraid to tackle the question after his achievements since arriving in Scotland.

"I think you can always lose your job," he added. "That is the precarious nature of it.

"I would hope that if we lost tomorrow the board of directors would give me another fortnight to try and sort it out but one never knows in this game."

O'Neill is concerned about his side's recent defensive record and the players he has been forced to do without.

Chris Sutton is definitely out but O'Neill is keeping his fingers crossed that Henri Camara and Stanislav Varga will be fit to play.

"We need to defend better than we have done in recent games and if we are going to concede goals we have to make teams work harder for them than they are at the minute.

"That's the disappointing aspect. You want to try and cut out those mistakes or suffer the consequences."

Celtic need three points tonight to have a realistic hope of staying in Europe beyond Christmas even if it means finishing third to take a consolation UEFA Cup spot.

Barcelona and AC Milan resume their heavyweight clash for control of the group with the Italian side ahead on points after their narrow 1-0 victory in the San Siro two weeks ago.

Barcelona, who recorded emphatic wins over Celtic and Shakhtar Donetsk in their opening two games, know that a second defeat against the six-times European champions could complicate qualification for the knockout stages.

Milan may have been less impressive in their first three matches, but they are heading to the Nou Camp in the knowledge that with nine points already in the bag they have little to lose against the Catalans.

"Experience tells us it's better to qualify as quickly as possible," said Milan captain Paolo Maldini.