Celtic must be some team if Donati isn't in starting line-Up says Giuseppe Rossi

Sep 28 2008 Gavin Berry

Villarreal V Celtic Tuesday, Kick-Off 7.45pm Live On Stv And Sky Sports 2

GIUSEPPE ROSSI fears Celtic must have a magical midfield if compatriot Massimo Donati can't get a first-team place.

The Italian Under-21 international was a huge admirer of Parkhead fringe man Donati when he was strutting his stuff in Serie A and earned a £10million move to AC Milan.

Hoops boss Gordon Strachan looked to have landed a bargain when he captured the former Atalanta man for £3m last summer.

But despite being given numerous chances to shine the midfielder has failed to establish himself as a regular - which is a huge surprise to Rossi.

The Villarreal strike ace - who faces Strachan's men in the Champions League on Tuesday - was just starting out at Parma while Donati (below) earned rave reviews as one of Italy's most promising youngsters.

And the fact Donati isn't guaranteed a game has convinced ex-Manchester United hitman Rossi that Celtic will be a formidable force despite their miserable away record in Europe's top competition.

Speaking at the La Liga side's El Madrigal stadium, the American-born star of Italian descent said: "Coming from New York, I have followed the careers of US players.

"Because of that I know Claudio Reyna was at Rangers and DaMarcus Beasley and Maurice Edu are now there so I have a keen interest in Scottish football.

"But the player in Scotland I'm most familiar with is Donati because my father Fernando is Italian and I was brought up on Serie A football. I went to Parma as a youngster and because Donati was five or six years older than me he was a player everyone talked about when he was at Atalanta and AC Milan.

"My dad is a Milan fan so at one time he'd have been cheering Donati on but I know Massimo is a good player from watching games and hearing what people said about him.

"He was seen as a big talent when he played for the Italian Under-21s and has fulfilled those expectations by getting to Celtic.

"I know he scored a winning goal in the Champions League last season against Shakhtar Donetsk but I'm surprised he doesn't get a regular game.

"When you have a player of his quality and ability and if he fits the Scottish style of play then I'd have thought Donati would be a first choice.

"Obviously I'm only looking at the situation from a distance and Strachan will know his players a lot better than I do but I'm a little surprised.

"If Donati can't get a start for Celtic they must be a very good team and his omission tells me enough about how strong they will be on Tuesday night."

Rossi admits he was captivated by the passion of the Scottish game when he was a kid at Parma and caught a blood and thunder Old Firm derby on TV.

Now, after shaking off early-season injury problems, the £6.6m recruit can't wait to taste that fervour for real when Celtic visit El Madrigal.

Rossi said: "Like most people who love football I know Celtic and Rangers are the two best teams in Scotland and battle it out for the title every year.

"When I was 14 or 15 and at Parma I had a satellite TV channel that showed games from all over the world.

"I can still remember an Old Firm derby being shown and I was captured by the passion of everyone involved - it was a joy to watch.

"There was a real willingness to win the game on both sides and the pace was incredible.

"I know the fans are so passionate and it doesn't matter if it's at El Madrigal or Parkhead - they will still turn out in big numbers and make tremendous noise.

"Celtic have great history and are a world renowned club. In recent years they have done well in the Champions League so we know what to expect.

"It's going to be tough on Tuesday but it will be an even bigger challenge for us when we go to Parkhead for the final group game in December because of the atmosphere.

"I was out on loan at Newcastle when Manchester United played Celtic so I didn't experience those matches.

"This is a huge game, it will be tough but a great one to play in. Everyone wants to sample the Champions League and it just adds to the occasion when you face a team with such history.

"I played two Champions League matches with Manchester United - a qualifier against Debrecen then a group match against Lille in 2005/06 when Villarreal were actually in our section.

"But taking on Celtic would be my debut in the competition with Villarreal which is why I'm so determined to make it hard for the manager to leave me out.

"I can't believe Celtic haven't won an away game in the Champions League after so many attempts but I just hope they don't end that run on Tuesday.

"I'd be happy for them to do it in the tie after ours even if it is against my old club.

"I had a great time at Old Trafford but I regard Manchester United as just another rival. I don't see it as between ourselves and them for top spot.

"I know that's how it looks on paper but sometimes these things don't happen so you must treat every game the same.

"Even if you're on a bad run as Celtic are you just forget about it and focus on the next match."

Rossi admits his time in England taught him a lot - and paid tribute to the influence of Sir Alex Ferguson for nurturing his career, despite the hitman failing to make the grade at Old Trafford.

The 21-year-old said: "I grew a lot as a player and person at United. When you're at one of the best clubs in the world it can only help your development.

"Sir Alex was always good to me. He helped me a lot and gave me plenty of advice so I can't thank him enough.

"I'm not disappointed I didn't make it at United. There were three or four world-class strikers ahead of me and it's hard for a youngster to get a chance.

"The best option was to leave and try a new experience. I did that firstly by going to Newcastle on loan then joining Villarreal. I've remained at a high level in La Liga and Spain has been enjoyable so far, the football and the lifestyle.

"We have a strong squad with great players and last season was wonderful with us finishing second in La Liga.

"To be successful you need a strong team spirit and we're a bunch of friends as well as a squad of players."