Commons call for 11 Celtic warriors

The man who, 11 months ago, coolly rammed home the penalty against the team from Moscow to book Celtic's place in the last 16 believes it will take the same kind of momentous effort to keep the door open to the knockout rounds this time around.

A victory over Milan would see Neil Lennon's side leapfrog the Italians, and possibly push into second spot in Group H, provided Ajax don't take anything from their game against Barcelona.

The stage would then be set for another final day showdown, when the Hoops head to the Nou Camp and the Dutch club face Milan in the San Siro.

It was always going to be much tougher for Lennon's side this season as the strength of the opposition in their group surpasses what they met last term.

Back then, a stunning victory over Barca on matchday four, added to a win in Moscow and a point taken against Benfica on the opening day, gave them the chance to book their place in the last 16 with one game to spare.

However, they failed to fire in Lisbon, and had to wait until they got back home to face Spartak Moscow to seal the deal with a nerve-tingling 2-1 win.

Commons grabbed the headlines with the winning goal, moments before he had to be carted off with a gruesome bruise on his thigh, but acknowledges it was a massive team effort that got them over the line.

It will require a repeat this time around if European football after Christmas is to be confirmed.

That may have to be in the Europa League, but the Champions League last 16 is still very much the target, even though the display when they lost in Amsterdam on matchday four left everyone deflated.

Commons hopes the experience the squad can now boast will ensure they can bounce right back up for the visit of Milan on Tuesday.

And if, during their preparations, they sneak a peek at last season's tie against Spartak, who could blame them?

The 30-year-old recalled: "That was a game in which we had to rely on others helping us out. But, at Celtic Park, when you need your big players to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, most of our players have turned up.

"We needed 11 warriors that night, and got that. We needed a good response from the fans, and we got that, too.

"Hopefully, the Milan game will be the same and we will make it another night to remember at Celtic Park."

Commons was brutally honest in his assessment of the team's non-performance in Holland, where the result sent them spiralling back to the foot of the group.

He admitted that, at times, they had looked out of their depth, and any kind of repeat will make a difficult situation almost impossible.

However, there have been enough good nights in Europe for him to retain confidence that they can show their true quality.

Returning from Milan on matchday one with no points after falling to a late one-two was a bitter pill to swallow.

But there will be no hangover when Balotelli and Co. come to Glasgow.

Commons said: "When we played in the San Siro, we came away disappointed we hadn't won. That's a big testament to how well we played there."

Slaying giants has become a trademark of this group of players, and tackling the challenge of reaching back-to-back last 16s is just the latest test for Lennon's Bhoys.

Commons was typically blunt when he said: "It's still possible, but it's an uphill battle. AC Milan at home is a must-win game if we are to have any chance of doing it."

However, while there is football still to be played, no one will give up on the dream.

Barcelona have already grabbed one of the qualifying places from Group H, but Commons reckons the Hoops deserve credit for not allowing Milan or Ajax to get away from them in the race for the second spot.

"People have called it the Group of Death, and I don't think anyone expected us to still be in contention of progressing with two games left," he told the Celtic View.

"Neither Milan, Ajax or ourselves have run away with second place, and we are still scrapping for it. But we know it is going to be very difficult and will probably need some luck along the way."

The odds are against Celtic getting to the last 16. But they always have been since the draw was made.

As the Pot 4 club, just finishing above bottom spot would be laudable, bringing with it, as it does, a parachute drop into the Europa League.

Commons insisted: "To finish higher than Milan or Ajax and progress to another big European campaign would be classed as a success.

"We can then try to progress in that competition. But, until then, we are still in with a shout for the Champions League, and that's what we're focusing on."

Having used the international break to get back to full fitness after a hamstring injury, Commons hopes to be in the thick of it when Aberdeen come to town on Saturday.

Derek McInnes' high-flying Dons will provide the perfect warm-up test for the Hoops as Lennon's men regroup following national service for an entire team of them.

But it is the electric atmosphere which will be generated next week which has already got Commons bristling.

He revealed that, while he was out injured, he watched his team-mates beat Ajax at Parkhead in the company of close pal, former Hoops hitman, Gary Hooper.

Commons explained: "I was more nervous watching than playing, but it was the first chance to watch a Champions League match at Celtic Park and experience the atmosphere from the stands.

"It made me even hungrier to be involved in nights like that."