Celtic v AC Milan: Is it on TV, who to watch, form guide, Europa League preview, last match

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, seen here in the qualifying round win over Shamrock Rovers, is due in Glasgow with AC Milan this week. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

The Serie A giants are one of the most famious names in football but they’ll kick-off the Europa League group stages in front of empty stands at Celtic Park.

However, there’s still ways to watch Neil Lennon take on Zlatan Ibrahimovic and co. as the Hoops aim to take their European campaign into the new year against some familiar foes, before hooking up with Sparta Prague and Lille in the remaining Group H fixtures.

The first off six takes place on Thirsday night when the Rossoneri come to town – and here’s what you need to know ahead of the match against Stefano Pioli’s men.

Scott McDonald gave Celtic the win with a last minute winner in 2007. (SNS Group Alan Harvey)

Match details

Who: Celtic v AC Milan

What: UEFA Europa League – Group H

Where: Celtic Park, Glasgow

When: 8pm, Thursday October 22

How to watch

While Premier Sport picked up some of the Europa League’s earlier rounds, BT Sport has the rights to the group stages. It’s a Scottish double-bill on Thursday as Celtic v AC Milan follows coverage of Rangers’ trip to Standard Liege on BT Sport 3. A monthly pass costs £25 and Celtic coverage begins at 8pm.

Celtic TV subscribers can also pick up live audio while here at The Scotsman we’ll have a live blog with build-up, match updates, reaction and analysis.

Who to Watch

Where do you start? AC Milan is a revered name in world football and Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a world-renowned name. He’s shaken off coronavirus to make the match and he warmed up for the trip to Glasgow with a double to defeat Milan city rivals Inter on Saturday night.

While not the force they once were, Milan are not a one man team either. Turkish playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu makes them tick and carves open the opportunities for the mavrick striker and in Gianluigi Donnarumma they have the Italian number one.

Opposition Form

Milan have only failed to win once so far this season in an astonishing opening to 2020-21.

They’re top of Serie A after five games but their European form has not been quite so good. They were lacklustre in the opening round and gave Shamrock Rovers hope of an upset before winning 2-0 but have gone on to record victories including a penalty shoot-out win over Portuguese side Rio Ave in the play-off round.

They warmed up for the trip to Scotland with a 2-1 win over San Siro sharers Inter with Swedish talisman Ibrahimovic scoring twice before Romelu Lukaku replied with only the fifth goal AC have conceded in all competitions.

Previous Meetings

Celtic have only beaten Milan once in ten attempts - Scott McDonald’s last minute winner swinging an epic night in the home side’s favour in 2007.

Otherwise you’re hard pushed for results. There’s been three draws but Celtic have only scored one other time - Stan Varga equalising in the San Siro in 2004 – before Andreas Pirlo inspired the home side to a 3-1 win.

The most recent double-header in the Champions League ended in a 2-0 defeat away and 3-0 reverse at home in 2013-14 but Celtic’s last matches with Italian opposition were positive – two 2-1s win over Lazio in Rome and Parkhead last season.