Zlatan Ibrahimovic won’t be treating Thursday’s match against Celtic as a second rate Europa League tie.
The Swedish legend has two decades of experience to call upon in European competition, wearing the shirts of the most famous clubs in the game.
Nineteen years ago he was part of an Ajax team that lost out in a Champions League qualifier as Martin O’Neill’s side embarked on a new era for the club on the European stage.
All of that Celtic side has moved on and retired but at the age of 39 the legendary Swede is still fighting fit with hunger for success.
On Saturday against Inter he marked his return from Quarantine with a double strike in the derby with another European campaign firing him up as much as ever.
Speaking to the Daily Record he said:
I am just becoming more complete and more ruthless. These big games are the ones that I am always excited to play in. Even with no fans the games against Celtic is a big one and we want to get off to a winning start in Europe.
Quarantine was the right thing to do but it was not an easy thing for me to do. All I wanted was to be with the team – but being at home when I wanted to be training and playing has made me more hungry. I have come out of quarantine with more desire and I am ready to do special things.
Milan have a big history in Europe and the ambition is next year that we will be playing in the Champions League. For now it is important that we give everything in the Europa League and I always want another medal for my collection.
After four matches in Serie A Milan are in top position with full points as they attempt to break Juventus’ grip on the title and return to the Champions League that they last won in 2007 when they beat Celtic 1-0 on aggregate in the last 16.
