Massimo Donati has spoken of his time at Celtic and how a seemingly innocent interview was given the usual spin by the mainstream media in Scotland to distort the Celtic player’s words. This in turn would lead to a major falling out with then Hoops manager, Gordon Strachan, who never saw eye-to-eye with the Italian again.
Speaking about the incident to Celtic Way, the Herald and Glasgow Times owned website, Donati said: “I had a wee problem with Gordon and then it became a big problem. I gave an interview explaining the difference between Scottish and Italian football. I explained the difference which was a big one. In the papers, the headline was “what Scottish football has to do to be better'”.
“I never said those words and he was so angry about that interview and I told him I didn’t say that but he didn’t believe me and that is why I did not play much in the second season. For a football player, if you are not playing you are not happy. I told him that maybe it was time for me to go.
“In the pre-season, Gordon Strachan left Celtic and Tony Mowbray came in. For a while, it looked as if my Celtic career would get back on track. Bari then Bari came in for me and offered me a longer contract. I had a decision to make and I joined Bari. Sometimes you make the wrong decision. Leaving Celtic was not a good decision.”
Massimo was certainly an incredibly cultured player. During his time at Celtic Park he showed that ability in flashes, especially in Europe when the game would be more technical and slower, allowing him to dictate the play from midfield. However, his inconsistencies always stopped him from being a great Celtic player and went back to Italy in the end. We will never forget the bounce he gave us that night at Paradise against Shakhtar Donetsk though!
Paul Gillespie
