The Big Interview Scott McDonald

“This time, I hope Celtic slap Milan back down to size.”

Scott McDonald scored one of the most important goals of his career in 2007 with a last-gasp winner to hand Celtic what remains their only victory over AC Milan.

The Australian internationalist helped Gordon Strachan’s side earn a shock win over the defending European champions with his 90th-minute effort securing a famous 2-1 win.

Yet it was the play-acting of goalkeeper Dida in the aftermath of the dramatic winner that most Parkhead supporters still associate with the memorable result.

But the Brazilian’s theatrics he pretended to be injured and was stretchered off after a supporter ran on to the pitch and slapped him resulted in him being hit with a two-match suspension by UEFA.

“It’s amazing because that is what everyone remembers,” laughed the little striker. “It seems to have stuck in everyone’s mind for some bizarre reason.

“When you talk about that victory over AC Milan then Dida always merits a mention.

“I didn’t have a clue what had happened at the time. I knew my goal had counted and I just ran away over to the far corner to celebrate and when it was done and dusted he was receiving treatment.

“You do wonder what he was thinking about maybe he was just a bit embarrassed at not holding Gary Caldwell’s shot!

“In all seriousness though, what a fantastic result it was for us and it was without doubt one of my highlights at Celtic.

“To defeat the reigning European Champions was unbelievable.”

There was an unlikely goal hero for Celtic in the shape of defender Stephen McManus who put the home side ahead.

Kaka pegged The Bhoys back from the penalty spot but the final word belonged to McDonald and he can still recall it as if it were yesterday.

“It was actually one of the easiest goals I’ve ever scored,” laughed the Australian. “It was quite literally a tap-in.

“I remember Oddo playing me onside and when Dida spilled Gary’s effort I just pushed the ball into the back of the net.

“Strangely enough, I scored exactly the same goal four days later and once again it was a winner. But it was against Gretna. It doesn’t quite have the same ring as AC Milan!”

To have any chance whatsoever of qualifying for the knockout stages of this year’s competition, Neil Lennon’s men will have to emulate McDonald and that class of 2007.

The Parkhead club are currently rooted at the bottom of Group H with only three points from a home win over Ajax to show from their opening four matches.

It doesn’t, of course, provide an accurate reflection of Celtic’s efforts.

The Scottish champions were unlucky to lose by two goals to Milan in the San Siro and can lay a large portion of the blame for a narrow home defeat to Barcelona at Scott Brown’s red-card stupidity.

There can be no more hard-luck stories on Tuesday night if a place in the last 16 is to remain a target.

McDonald, however, believes Celtic can defy all the odds again.

“I don’t think AC Milan are as strong a side now as they were when we beat them that night,” said McDonald. “They were the defending European champions back then, although they are obviously still a strong team.

“Kaka is back and so is Robinho so I think they will be stronger on Tuesday night than they were in the first meeting over in Italy but Celtic have a chance.

“On the night we beat them, I played up front on my own and Scott Brown was playing just off me. We worked our socks off.

“We were absolutely shattered at the end of the game. We were so worn out we were almost too tired to celebrate though we just about managed it!

“But that has to be the key to success in the Champions League for Celtic. You need a bit of luck on the night and you need every single player to give it everything they have.

“That was exactly the story behind our win. We got the rub of the green when Stephen McManus scored with his backside.

“I still wind him up about that because he claims he deliberately turned it towards goal but I don’t think he knew a thing about it.

“And then they were awarded a soft penalty. That was hard to take but we kept going and going until the final whistle and we got our rewards.”

Having left Celtic Park to move to Middlesbrough, McDonald has only just embarked on a new adventure south of the border as he looks to continue his goalscoring form at Millwall.

But does he still miss the thrill of Champions League nights?

“Of course,” he replied instantly. “Especially, I need to say, at Celtic Park. The atmosphere inside the stadium on European nights was deafening.

“It will be the same on Tuesday and I’d be delighted if the current team followed in our footsteps.”