KRIS Commons has bought into Ronny Deila's dynamic football philosophy since the Norwegian was appointed Celtic manager last summer.

Yet, when Commons takes to the field in the San Siro tonight, the advice of his former manager Neil Lennon will be foremost in his thoughts.

The 31-year-old forward took part in many massive European nights with the Glasgow giants during Lennon's time in charge.

He believed his old gaffer's shrewd tactics were crucial to the success the Parkhead club enjoyed in both the Champions League and Europa League.

And the ex-Scotland internationalist reckons that adopting them once again over in Italy can help Celtic claim what would be an history victory.

Only one Scottish team has won on Italian soil; Rangers defeated Livorno 3-2 in the group stages of the Uefa Cup back in 2006.

Commons said: "I have experience of these sort of occasions in Europe and I appreciate that you're not expected to play teams off the park.

"Inter Milan will have their fair share of possession and we will have to defend with our lives to stay in the tie.

"The one thing that Neil drilled into us is that you can't afford to ball watch. If you do that you lose your men and you end up conceding goals.

"Things that you get away with in the SPFL Premiership you won't get away with on a European stage.

"That is at any level, whether it is the Champions League qualifiers or in the group stage.

"It requires 100 per cent concentration to get a result. I think experience in these sort of games is vital. Away from home especially."

Commons watched the first leg of the game against Inter Milan from the Jock Stein Stand and was impressed with the displays of his new team mates Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven.

But the skilful player, who has recovered from the thigh strain that sidelined him last week, has warned them the rematch will be a far more demanding proposition.

He said: "This game will be a big eye opener for Stuart and Gary. They have watched these games and they played really well the other night.

"But going into an arena I would class as the lion's den will be different.

"There is a brutal atmosphere and you get put under a lot of pressure. There is a different supporters culture over there.

"Some teams can fold when they are faced with that. These are the sort of games that make men out of boys.

"You have to stand up and take the abuse, take the hostile atmosphere and play your part in trying to get a result."

This will be the second occasion that Scottish Player of the Year Commons and many of his team-mates have played in the San Siro.

They took on AC Milan in the group stages of the Champions League last season and performed superbly before conceding two late goals and losing 2-0.

He feels that reconnaissance visit will prove invaluable when they take to the field in the world-famous 80,000-capacity arena this evening.

He said: "We played there against AC Milan when we went there. The fans were obviously on a different side to where the Inter fans will be tonight.

"But it was still beneficial to those of us who have seen the surroundings and know what we are going into.

"Like I say, it is going to be a very, very difficult task for us to go out there and get a result. But we are in with a shout."

Commons revealed that Deila has formulated a game plan in training at Lennoxtown this week he believes will work against the Serie A cracks in the San Siro.

Mancini's side are favourites to progress having netted three away goals in a thrilling match in Glasgow that ended up tied 3-3 after 90 minutes.

But Commons has helped the Hoops to claim the scalp of some famous names in continental competition against the odds and is confident they can do so once again.

He has, though, warned that the SPFL Premiership leaders can't afford to gift their opponents goals so cheaply at the back if they hope to prevail.

He said: "I am sure that Inter will be thinking the job is probably done. They will think they have gone to a really difficult stadium themselves and got a 3-3 draw.

"They will be looking to impose themselves on us, see the fixture out and progress to the last 16 of the Europa League.

"But we have trained hard this week and have worked out a plan we feel will enable us to attack them while staying tight at the back and not conceding any goals at the same time.

"We are more than capable of getting goals with the players that we have in our squad. It is just a question of whether we can keep it sound defensively and keep the ball out of the back of our net.

"We were all disappointed with how we defended in the first leg last week and I sense a real determination to tighten things up and record a shut out in this match.

"We have done well at the back away from home in Europe this season so that gives us confidence going into what will admittedly be our biggest challenge of the campaign so far."