IT'S not very often that a true legend of the game is cited as providing the game plan for Celtic as they head into a Champions League match.

But the insightful wisdom of Dutch superstar, Johan Cruyff, is precisely what countryman Derk Boerrigter is happy to draw upon as he prepares to face AC Milan in a must-win game at Celtic Park tonight.

The 27-year-old winger, who signed from Ajax - the club where Cruyff first made his name in the Seventies - in the summer, has studied all the permutations and complexities involved in the qualifying race from Champions League Group H.

Barcelona have already booked one of the two places available for progressions to the last 16. And, if they take anything against Ajax in Amsterdam tonight, they will seal top spot.

But behind the Catalan giants - another of Cruyff's former clubs - Milan, Ajax and Celtic are all still battling it out.

Any one could still go through to the knockout rounds.

Any one could drop into the Europa League.

Any one could finish bottom of Group H and see their European season end on December 11.

Tonight will be pivotal, and Milan could close off the second qualifying spot if they win in Glasgow while Ajax lose to Barca.

But for everyone at Celtic, the picture is much clearer.

They have to win to retain any hope, and, of course, to achieve this, they must add to the meagre haul of two goals they have scored in the four group games to date.

Both those strikes came against Ajax at Parkhead in matchday three, and it is poor return for all the chances they have created in this season's competition.

The 1-0 defeat in Amsterdam, which did so much to damage their chances of a second run to the last 16, was undoubtedly their poorest performance in terms of attacking.

But, back on home soil, and with everything on the line, Boerrigter - who scored his first goal for the club at the weekend in the dramatic victory over Aberdeen - believes knowing what they have to do will add fuel to their fire.

Desperate to play more of a part than he has been given so far, as injury has impeded his challenge for a starting place, the Dutchman said: "We all know the manager has made the point this is a game we must win if we are to have any chance of progressing to the last 16.

"I don't know if it is important that we get the first goal - but we do know we must score at some time.

"Johan Cruyff famously once said that, if you want to win, you have to score one more goal than the opposition.

"That's what we have to do. We have to score and try to concede no goals, if possible."

The resolve of the Hoops was on full show at the weekend when they refused to allow Aberdeen to deny them they morale-boosting win they wanted to carry into tonight's match.

Injury-time had already begun when Boerrigter pounced on a rebound after a save by Jamie Langfield from a Virgil van Dijk header to put the champions ahead.

Kris Commons then followed his lead with his second of the game to make the final scoreline much more comfortable than the game had actually proved to be.

But the lesson learned by everyone - players and fans alike - is that it doesn't matter when you score ... so long as you do.

Given the choice - and considering the nerves which will be involved - Boerrigter would prefer if Celtic can strike somewhat earlier tonight.

However, he is prepared to be patient, if required, and said: "If it doesn't happen for us right away, we have to be confident that, eventually, it will. That was the case for us on Saturday against Aberdeen when we had to wait until injury-time to get the goals for the victory.

"I think that's a quality we have. We have confidence that, even if it is late in the game, we can score. But I hope it doesn't have to happen too often that we need a late goal. I prefer it if we can get our goals quickly."

Lennon has emphasised that, like the weekend, it will be a 14-man operation if the result they need is to be delivered.

Boerrigter has already shown he can make an impact if he is one of the men brought on from the bench.

But he believes he is getting back to full fitness after his ankle problems, and would like the opportunity to use his pace against a Milan defence which will be without key players, including Phillipe Mexes, who has been ruled out with an eye problem.

However, even with a depleted and demoralised squad, Boerrigter can sense there is a bit of the wounded animal about Milan.

And, as he scans the list of those who are still available to manager, Massimo Allegri, he recognises they will carry a genuine threat.

Boerrigter said: "Milan are a big team and they have a lot of good players.

"You can name guys like Robinho, Kaka, those kind of players who are very technical and skilful.

"But we also have a lot of good players in our team. And the big advantage we have is we are the ones playing at home with the passionate crowd right behind us. Hopefully, that will make the difference in this game."

Those fans were short-changed by the lacklustre performance of the Hoops in Amsterdam, and Boerrigter accepts any kind of repeat will be unacceptable.

"We have to focus on believing that was a one-off night, and that we can beat Milan," he said.

"We have to play our own game, be strong, be physical and be technical at times. We will try to attack and to score the goals we need, and I am confident we will."