Take away Ibrahimovic and Milan are a long way from ‘The Immortals’ era, Demetrio Albertini tells Celtic

AC Milan legend Demetrio Albertini has told Celtic’s players to have faith they can beat his former club because they are not “The Immortals” of old.

The Italian enjoyed huge success in his playing days at the San Siro, winning five Serie A titles and two Champions Leagues in the 1990s.

Now Parma’s sporting director, the 49-year-old continues to follows the present-day Milan side with keen interest.

And as such, he was taken by the Europa League draw that has the Rossoneri travelling to Celtic Park on Thursday to kick-off a group that also includes Sparta Prague and Lille.

“It is very interesting,” said Albertini.

“If you mention Milan, people tend to think back to the Berlusconi days when we won everything in the world.

“Today’s team is not at that level. They have begun a project to try to get there – but they are still far away.

“Take out Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is 39, and a couple of others, and what you have is a very young group of players.

“I think player for player, they are superior to Celtic and, if they play to the level they did at the end of last season, they can beat them.

“But if not, I think Celtic could cause them big problems because they look to me to be an excellent side, and one which boasts great international experience.

“I would advise them to believe in their chances against Milan for those reasons, and also because that is how the best successes are achieved.

“If we were putting the teams against each other over the course of a season, I would say differently.

“But in the Europa League, teams can upset the odds.

“Celtic themselves have shown what is possible, by coming to Rome last November and beating Lazio.

“I like Scottish football. It is physical, certainly, but for me it is improving on a technical and a tactical level.

“People are seeing the results the top clubs are achieving in European football, and taking notice.”

Which would go some way to explaining Bologna’s move to snap up Aaron Hickey from Hearts this summer, and Milan’s interest in Celtic defender, Kristoffer Ajer, before the transfer window closed.

“Ajer is a good player, one who has the international experience I spoke of. I think he would do well for Milan,” said Albertini.

“I also believe he would relish the environment in the dressing room, which is very supportive.”