Scottish League/Celtic 3 Hearts 0:Massimo Donati felt a win over Hearts was crucial to ensure confidence in the Celtic camp remained high ahead of Wednesday's Champions League first knockout round clash with Barcelona.
Goals from Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Scott McDonald and Andreas Hinkel secured all three points against a rejuvenated Hearts team at Celtic Park on Saturday.
The result allowed the Scottish champions to slash Rangers' lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League to a single point, albeit for just 24 hours as their city rivals won 2-0 at Kilmarnock yesterday, with Carlos Javier Cuellar and Kris Boyd - from a penalty - scoring their goals.
It also sets up Celtic nicely for another major European night in Glasgow. Celtic know they are set to face their biggest test yet this season when the face Barcelona.
Donati, who was restored to the starting line-up ahead of Paul Hartley on Saturday, admitted the victory will help Celtic keep their focus.
"It was important to win the game to allow us to concentrate on the next game," Donati said. "We are hoping for a good result against Barcelona. We know it will be a difficult game, because all the teams left in the Champions League are good teams."
Celtic overcame Donati's former club, AC Milan, at Parkhead earlier in the campaign but he predicted a far tougher challenge from the Primera Liga side.
"It's not a fantastic time for Barcelona at the moment but I think they are the best team in Europe just now," Donati added. "They may have some injuries but the most important thing for us is to play well and concentrate on the game."
Meanwhile, Donati played down an incident between goalkeeper Artur Boruc and captain Stephen McManus after both players clashed early in the second half against Hearts.
He said: "Sometimes these things happen during the game and that's normal. But, when the game is finished, there is no problem between Artur and Mick.
"It's because the players want us to well and to win the game. It's okay."
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan was also delighted with the performance against Hearts and was relieved to see no new injury concerns ahead of Wednesday's game. He said: "They all seem to be 100 per cent fit, so we are pleased with that. They weren't keeping anything back with the way they were running, the way they were chasing, and I like to see that."
CELTIC: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Donati (Robson 77), Scott Brown, McGeady, McDonald (Hutchinson 87), Vennegoor of Hesselink (Samaras 73). Subs not used: Mark Brown, O'Dea, Sno, Hartley.
HEARTS: Banks, Neilson, Berra, Goncalves, Karipidis, Cesnauskis (Mikoliunas 68), Palazuelos, Jonsson, Driver, Velicka, Ksanavicius (Nade 72). Subs not used: Basso, Wallace, Zaliukas, McCann, Elliot.
Referee: D McDonald (Scotland).
