NO disrespect to the red of Aberdeen but, having completed business with characteristic efficiency, Celtic's attention was on the aristocratic crimson and black of AC Milan before their bus had left the Granite City.

The win, more anxious in the final minutes because of Darren Mackie's goal than it ever needed to be, takes Gordon Strachan's side to within three wins of a second successive title.

But the main prize this week is an Italian scalp. Long before Strachan was fitted into a Celtic tracksuit to patrol the Hoops dugout with his omnipresent clipboard and pen, Celtic were rebuilding their reputation on the Continent as a force to be reckoned with.

It is a name they have won for themselves on home soil but have been unable to take on their travels. That, however, is a problem for another day.

For Strachan and his players now the priority lies on continuing an impressive list of results at Parkhead that began with big performances against the likes of Juventus, Porto and Valencia and includes other European heavyweights such as Barcelona, Lyon and Stuttgart.

It is too crude to say experienced players of the ilk of Kaka, Paulo Maldini and Andrea Pirlo will be intimidated by the noise of 60,000 supporters since they have played in many volatile stadiums, but there is certainly something about the alchemy of European nights at Parkhead that brings out the best in Celtic.

While Strachan's side have marched towards this season's title with monotonous steps rather than a fluent swagger, the best performance witnessed on home soil in this campaign came against Benfica when Celtic ran out 3-0 winners against the Portuguese side.

Those kind of aggressive and direct displays have been rare this season, but there is something about the energy of the crowd on Champions League nights which transmits to the players.

Many have pointed out that this current AC Milan team, shorn of the strike power of Andriy Shevchenko and docked points before the Italian league even started, are something of an unknown quantity who are trading on reputation rather than fearsome standards.

Not that Celtic ought to be quaking in their boots. In Shunsuke Nakamura they have a player capable of the kind of feats he showed against Manchester United when he was scarcely in the game yet sunk an exquisite free kick and his goal against Aberdeen at the weekend - his 15th for Celtic - was his eighth from a set piece.

The Japanese internationalist is capable of one moment that can turn the game, while Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink gives Celtic a physical and experience presence up front that also sets him out as a potential match winner.

Artur Boruc thrives on the big stage while Aiden McGeady is capable of producing a creative moment that can open the game.

Craig Beattie took his goal against Aberdeen well and is full of confidence at the minute should Strachan go with two strikers against the Italians. In short, it should be game on tomorrow night.