Christie: We can see off Hoops.

Byline: By Euan McArthur

CHARLIE CHRISTIE has tipped Celtic to stun the San Siro - but only after Inverness send them spinning out of the Scottish Cup.

Christie is adamant Gordon Strachan's champions-elect can rumble the might of AC Milan in their Champions League return leg in a fortnight to secure their place in the quarter-finals of Europe's elite tournament.

The Caley Thistle boss, though, is more interested in plotting the Hoops' downfall in Sunday's showdown in the Highlands.

Former Celt Christie, who starred for Inverness in their incredible Scottish Cup triumph over John Barnes' Celtic team of 2000, believes they can make it a hat-trick of cup scalps against the Parkhead men.

Christie said: "I think Celtic can still do it over in Italy. As much as they played second fiddle to Milan for long spells, they're still very much in this tie.

"The sheer history of the club tells you that they always stand a fighting chance, no matter who they're up against and where that may be.

"You just have to look at their run to the UEFA Cup Final in Seville in 2003 when they drew with Boavista in the first leg of their semi-final tie.

"A few people would have thought they'd lost their chance but they still did the business in the return leg.

"Now, though, it's all about Sunday and on our day we're more than capable of getting a result.

"We know we've got a chance providing we play well and we've shown we can do it in the past, most recently when we beat them 1-0 in the }Scottish Cup in 2003.

"I was part of the team that beat Celtic at Parkhead seven years ago so obviously know what it feels like to achieve that sort of feat."

Christie wasn't the only one to raise an eyebrow as opposite number Strachan left former Real Madrid star Thomas Gravesen on the bench for the 0-0 draw with the Italians.

However, the Inverness boss insists it doesn't matter which side Strachan sends out at the Caledonian Stadium, such is their strength in depth.

He said: "It was a surprise that Gravesen didn't start because those are the kind of games he was bought to play in.

"In saying that, Evander Sno did really well and it just goes to show the vast options of quality that Gordon Strachan has at his disposal."

CAPTION(S):

CONFIDENT: Boss Christie