From zero to hero for Donati

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan felt Massimo Donati's experiences epitomised the rollercoaster of emotions of another memorable Champions League night at Parkhead.

Donati was dropped from the starting line-up before the 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk, but the Italian midfielder was brought on 16 minutes into the Group D showdown with Shakhtar Donetsk, after Lee Naylor strained a calf muscle, and went on to score a dramatic winner with the last kick of the match.

Strachan said: "It's funny - because he has a horrendous start to the day when I tell him he's not playing, and at the end of the day he's a hero."

He added: "It's one of the nights he will always remember throughout his career. It shows you what football can do in less than 24 hours."

Celtic were soon trailing to Brandao's early opener, and the Brazilian twice came close to adding to his tally, but Jiri Jarosik levelled with a powerful volley in the 45th minute - and, after a tight second period, Donati found the corner of the net right at the death to send Parkhead into raptures.

The victory put Celtic three points ahead of the Ukrainians - who would have been in second place had Donati not intervened, thanks to their 2-0 win over the Hoops in the opening group game.

But the former AC Milan player's winner means Strachan's men will qualify for the last 16 if they avoid defeat against his old club in the San Siro next week. Even defeat would see Celtic progress if Shakhtar fail to beat Benfica, who need to win in Ukraine to make the UEFA Cup.

"The players can be very proud of themselves, they really can," Strachan added. "We got off to a bad start - we lost two goals at the start of the campaign and we have recovered from that. That says a lot about the players.

"I know how hard they have to work - Gary Caldwell, he is a centre-half doing us a turn (at right-back). The crowd are moaning, but he stays above that. I know how hard it is to play out there in a position you are not used to. But he played the way I wanted him to play, not the way the crowd wanted him to play.

"He did great and showed great mental strength - and that mental strength got us through."