LISBON LION Bobby Lennox believes Shunsuke Nakamura is the man to open up AC Milan in the San Siro next week.

Celtic's chances of progression into the last eight of the Champions League appear slight after the first-leg 0-0 draw against the Italians at Parkhead.

But Lennox is still optimistic that Gordon Strachan's side can continue their run in the lucrative tournament.

Nakamura has been quiet in Champions League games this season only to then score from a set-piece and Lennox has pinpointed the midfielder as the key to Celtic's chances.

"I'm a big fan of Nakamura," he said. "His touch is great, his control is great and his free-kicks are great.

"He is the guy who is asked to create things and when Lubomir Moravcik left Parkhead there was never really anyone else who could take over that position.

"Nakamura has come in and assumed a creative role. It must have been very difficult for him because this is a hugely different culture to what he would have been used to back in Japan.

"He deserves huge amounts of credit and my highlights this season were his chip against Dundee United and his goal against Manchester United here at Parkhead."

AC Milan are widely expected to win on their own turf next Wednesday night when they face Celtic, but Lennox isn't convinced that the result is a formality.

"Of course it is still possible for Celtic to win the tie," he said.

"Not losing a goal here in the first leg was important and even if AC Milan take the lead over there on the night, Celtic know that all they need to do is get a goal back and they're through, so it's definitely still all to play for.

"In football you always have a chance. I don't think you can say that it'll be anything other than a hard night because I didn't buy into the hype before the game that this was a good time to get them.

"When you have players of their experience and ability of Kaka and Maldini then you know you've a good team."

Speaking as Celtic launched their preparations for the 40th anniversary of the Lisbon Lions' triumph against Inter Milan in 1967. Lennox admitted that the evening's celebrations will be tempered by the fact there will be missing spaces at the party.

"The regret on the night will be that we're missing a few and that's so sad," he said.

"Bobby Murdoch was the big quiet guy while Ronnie Simpson was so witty and Jinky was a real character, but they will be remembered on the night, you can be sure of that.

"I'm really looking forward to it. It's everyone getting together again and it should be good."