Massimo Donati: I snubbed move back to Italy so I can star for Celtic

Aug 10 2008 By Scott Mcdermott

MASSIMO DONATI has rejected a return to Italy to become a Celtic star - despite gaffer Gordon Strachan telling him he WON'T be a first pick.

The midfielder, signed from AC Milan for s3million last summer, has failed to live up to his reputation in a Hoops jersey.

Even though Strachan's men sealed their third SPL title on the trot Donati was a bit-part player towards the end of the campaign.

Rumours were rife in the close season he would return to SerieAwith Sampdoria keen to take him home.

But Donati, who cost Milan s10m seven years ago when he signed from Atalanta, has vowed to stay and fight for his place at Parkhead.

The Italian will have to win over a section of the Celtic support who criticised his contribution last term.

But the 27-year-old insists he knocked back a move to Italy to win more trophies in Glasgow.

Massimo has already been told by Strachan he's behind the likes of Paul Hartley, Scott Brown, Barry Robson and Shunsuke Nakamura in Celtic's midfield pecking order but that doesn't faze him.

He said: "Despite what people have been saying I felt last season went really well for me until February or March. It was only then I stopped playing.

"But the team went on and won the title which was our main focus.

"I would sign up immediately for the same thing this year - me playing well until March and the team winning four-in-a-row. I want to star for Celtic and have more success.

"I felt I did that last season and it's my main aim for this campaign too.

"There was a lot of talk about me over the summer, that I could be going back to one of my old clubs, but I'm happy at Celtic.

"I want to become an important player here - the kind you cannot leave out of the team.

"That's why I decided to stay and let the chance to return to Italy pass. There are too many things I want to do at Celtic so I wasn't ready to leave.

"The manager has told me I won't start the season as a first pick. But I'm willing to stay and fight hard for a game.

"That's the only way you get a place at Celtic, especially with so many good midfielders here. If you play well you stay in. If you don't you're out.

"So when a chance comes to play I have to take it. I know I have to perform well when selected and that's what I intend to do."

Strachan started last season with a central midfield pairing of Donati and s4.4m signing Brown.

Despite early promise the partnership didn't work and the pair were often isolated in the middle of the park.

Donati was dropped and Brown left out amid personal heartache while Hartley was recalled and Robson proved a big hit after arriving in January.

But against Feyenoord in last week's 3-1 pre-season friendly win, Strachan dropped his biggest hint yet he may deploy a trio of midfielders in a new 4-3-3 formation that the Dutch couldn't handle.

Donati excelled beside Brown with Hartley providing insurance behind them. All three were able to get on the ball a lot more and keep possession for longer spells.

The Italian Under-21 record cap holder - he made 26 appearances - admits it's a system that suits him best.

And if Strachan decides to stick with it for the newseason Massimo believes he can force his way in the teamx 3/4 .

He said: "Playing that formation gave us a lot of hope and confidence going into the season. The system has brought new things to our game.

"We were brilliant in the first half hour against Feyenoord, really sharp going forward, and took the chances we created.

"It also showed we're getting better at absorbing pressure which should help us away from home in Europe.

"We resisted Feyenoord when they came at us then dominated after that.

"I enjoyed playing in the system much more than the ones we used last season.

"I prefer having two other players beside me in midfield because there is more cover.

"When we link up like this, with more people to win the ball, I have a better chance to start a counter attack which is one of my strengths.

"If we continue with this system I will benefit and be able to give more to the team than I did last year."