RINO GATTUSO revealed today he was knocked out by the Celtic supporters in the San Siro - even though they had seen their side beaten in extra time by AC Milan.

The former Rangers star, who is married to a Glasgow girl, could only stand and applaud as the estimated 10,000 Hoops supporters stayed behind to hail their heroes.

Both clubs and the police had warned ticketless Celtic fans not to travel to Italy.

The club issued around 4500 official tickets, but double that number got into the San Siro - dotted all around the stadium, and without a hint of trouble.

However, it made a mockery of the Italians' security arrangements, given their recent problems, and their warnings that fans would have to produce passports proved an empty threat.

Gattuso said: "I loved the atmosphere because after the game they sang for their team, which in Italy is strange."

And Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti also praised the Hoops hordes.

He said: "It was a beautiful game against Celtic, a very correct game, and much of the merit has to go to the numerous Celtic fans who travelled to Milan."

As for the game, Gattuso said: "Celtic played very well to take the tie into extra time. They played together as a team, and it was not an easy game for us."

And Gattuso hopes Celtic find it just as tough on Sunday in the Old Firm game.

He has been linked with a possible return to Ibrox now that Walter Smith is back in charge, and refused to rule it out. But it won't be happening any time soon.

He said: "At this moment it's very hard because I signed a new contract with Milan until 2011. Maybe in the future, I don't know. But I'd like it because I played one and a half years with Rangers and my wife's family stays in Glasgow. I like the city and the people."

For now, Gattuso is concentrating only on helping Milan climb farther up the table and progressing in the Champions League.

He said: "There are still many good teams in the competition, but we have a chance.

"In tomorrow's draw for the quarter-finals, I would like us to get PSV Eindhoven or Bayern Munich.

"But, really, I am just pleased to have got past Celtic in this round."