Willpower compensated for the verve that was understandably in short supply for Celtic at this elevated level. Gordon Strachan was content to extract a goalless draw even if it does look as if it will be very difficult to contain Milan in the San Siro. The Italians will now expect to be in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Celtic 0 AC Milan 0 (Attendance: 58,785)
They had enough distinction about them to have settled the tie in Glasgow, but the spells in which they verged on complete domination always petered out. That was testimony to the shrewdness with which their opponents had been prepared.
Belligerence was the sole preserve of the home support. Celtic are highly conscious of their limitations against opponents of this calibre and romance was rationed. Strachan would have been happy for this fixture to be a recreation of the last Champions League fixture here, when Manchester United were beaten 1-0.
Alex Ferguson's side had dominated technically that night, but still had few opportunities in a match decided by an inspired free-kick from Shunsuke Nakamura. Against Milan, Celtic had the conservative pairing of Evander Sno and Neil Lennon in central midfield, fleshing out Strachan's emphasis beforehand when he listed shutting out Milan as his deepest wish.
It was not the sort of ambition that is realised without moments of panic. Carlo Ancelotti's line-up was at its most superior in the 26th minute. Once Andrea Pirlo had robbed Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, the move swept on and after Kaka had sent Alberto Gilardino clear it took wise positioning from Artur Boruc to ensure that the shot was deflected behind.
By their normal standards on nights like this, the home support were pensive. There were few incidents from Celtic then to ignite the passions. The only significant duty for the Milan goalkeeper in the first half had been a routine bit of work in the 40th minute when he dealt with a Nakamura set-piece.
Strachan had little option but to select the inexperienced 20-year-old Darren O'Dea but the Irishman was not flustered. Milan were not picking from a full squad either, but Ancelotti was not in need of sympathy while Kaka revelled in a free role and continually called for the ball.
Celtic's composure, or that of the fans at least, would have cracked had the former Rangers midfielder Rino Gattuso scored instead of brushing the post with a shot after being set up by Kaka in the 52nd minute. The statistics showed that the Scottish champions had an honourable share of possession but it was no simple task to shake Milan's authority. Considering their domination of the Scottish Premier league, Celtic's tally of goals is moderate and that is a mark of patchy resources in attack. Vennegoor of Hesselink, an outstanding finisher, is the exception, but he is yet to find a partner. Kenny Miller offered tireless harassment of Milan but that effort also revealed a poor first touch.
Eventually he made way for Jiri Jarosik, the former Chelsea midfielder who is occasionally cast as a striker by Strachan. His merits could not be discerned as Milan entered a phase of greater urgency and started to turn the Celtic defence. Gilardino was booked for diving because he went down a few paces after Mark Wilson had challenged, but the unease of the home team was palpable in that phase.
It was a tie marked in equal measure by Celtic's desire to compete and a severe difficulty in doing so against Milan.
Guardian Service
CELTIC: Boruc, Wilson, McManus, O'Dea, Naylor, Nakamura, Sno, Lennon (Gravesen 81), McGeady, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Miller (Jarosik 62). Subs not used: Brown, Telfer, Riordan, Perrier Doumbe, Kennedy. Booked: Nakamura.
AC MILAN: Kalac, Oddo, Kaladze (Bonera 62), Maldini, Jankulovski, Gourcuff, Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Kaka, Gilardino (Oliveira 77). Subs not used: Storari, Cafu, Costacurta, Simic, Brocchi. Booked: Maldini, Gilardino.
Referee: T Hauge (Norway).
