MASSIMO DONATI arrived at Celtic after boss Gordon Strachan parted with £3million to take the cultured midfielder from AC Milan on July 1 2007.
Three months later, the 26-year-old playmaker, who signed a four-year contract, had the opportunity to show his former club what they were missing with a superb display in the 2-1 Champions League victory at Parkhead on October 3.
Stephen McManus and Scott MacDonaldo hit the goals that dumped the reigning European kings in another memorable evening under the lights in the east end of Glasgow, but Donati was one of the stars of the show as he orchestrated moves from the middle of the park.
PARLIAMO ITALIANO? Massimo Donati has words with AC Milan agitator-in-chief Runo Gatuso in Celtic’s 2-1 Champions League victory at Parkhead on October 3 2007.
The former Italian Under-21 international captain made his Hoops debut in an opening-day scoreless stalemate against Kilmarnock on August 5, but the new Bhoy and his team-mates had better fortune a fortnight later when he scored his first goal in the side’s 3-1 win over Aberdeen.
It got better for Donati when he netted the late winner in a 2-1 success over Shakhar Donetsk in November. The result meant the Hoops only required a point away at the San Siro to reach the last 16, but, unfortunately, Strachan’s men lost 1-0.
However, Celtic still qualified as group runners-up. Donati’s form dipped alarmingly as the campaign progressed and he became a bit-part player at Parkhead.
Tony Mowbray, who had succeeded Strachan in June 2009, sold Donati to newly-promoted Bari two months later to bring the elegant middle-of-the-park performer’s spell in Glasgow to a premature conclusion.
The player then had stints with Serie A outfits Palermo and Hellas Verona before a second stint at Bari.
LIFT-OFF…Massimo Donati and Neil Lennon celebrate Celtic’s title success at Tannadice in April 2008.
Remarkably, Donati returned to Scotland in July 2016 after signing for Hamilton Accies. in January 2018, the Douglas Park club cancelled his contract to allow him to concentrate on a coaching career.
Surprisingly, a month later, the Italian signed a short-term deal with St Mirren, but was released at the end of his terms.
In June 2019, Donati joined the coaching staff at Kilmarnock under his countryman Angelo Alessio.
Three years later, he was appointed as the new head coach Italian minnows Sambenedettese, but was dismissed in October 2021.
He returned to the dug-out with fourth-tier Legnago Salus in June the following year.
Donati was on his managerial travels again in June this year as he was appointed head coach of Greek Super League team Athens Kallithea.
* TOMORROW: Don’t miss the adventures of another former Celt in CQN’s EXCLUSIVE series.
