However, the midfielder struggled to cement a first team place with the Serie A giants and spent much of his six-year spell on the Milan books out on loan. Donati enjoyed an impressive campaign, alerting Celtic to his availability. Donati knew all about Celtic prior to signing for the Hoops, so he didn't need that much convincing. However, he received a phone call from a true footballing icon - and former AC Milan teammate - quizzing him about his potential move to the Hoops.
Every summer, I go for a week to my mum and dad. But I wasn't with my phone, it was over there. So I say to my wife 'can you answer please?
My wife starts to say to me 'who was there? Who has a private phone? That was a girl. The phone goes again. I say 'wow. He asked me if I was interested to go to Celtic. He was a regular during his first campaign but fell out of favour and made just a handful of appearances during his second season in Glasgow. Donati famously scored a 92nd minute winner for the Hoops in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk in November And while he was keen to return to Italy at the time, he subsequently admitted leaving Celtic was the biggest regret of his career.
He would also begin his coaching career while with Hamilton before finishing his playing career with St Mirren in Donati became a coach at Kilmarnock under Italian boss Angelo Alessio in and got his first managerial gig with Sambenedettese back in Italy two years later. He was sacked after just four months in charge, returning to management with fourth tier club Legnago Salus in June He led the club to promotion before leading the club to the Serie C play-offs, although they would miss out on a second successive promotion.
Scottish Sun. US Edition. UK Edition. Irish Sun. My Account. Sign in. But it was actually football icon Andriy Shevchenko on the other end of the line! Most read in Football.
