Irish youngster Darren O'Dea insists Celtic will bounce back for Sunday's Old Firm clash despite their Champions League defeat to AC Milan in the San Siro.

Having helped keep the illustrious Milan attack at bay for 90 minutes the 20-year-old and his teammates were undone by a brilliant Brazilian three minutes into extra-time. Kaka's goal was enough to take the Italian club through to the quarter-finals and leave Celtic ruing their luck, having seen two decent penalty claims waved away.

However, O'Dea, is confident the Hoops will regroup for the visit of Rangers at the weekend.

Speaking today the Dubliner said: "It was a desperately disappointing end to our campaign and there was a lot of emotion in our dressing room.

"We really felt we did enough over the two legs to go through.

"In the end the breaks just didn't go our way but there is a great feeling of pride as well.

"We have to pick ourselves up with the Rangers game coming up at the weekend and we will do that," he added. "It's difficult for us just now but we have a massive match to look forward to."

Controversy over Celtic's penalty claims will linger, especially the first  appeal in the sixth minute when AC Milan defender Paolo Maldini made a two-handed block of a Jiri Jarosik shot. O'Dea is reluctant to lambast Austrian referee Konrad Plautz.

"We looked as if we had a good penalty claim but that's football," said the centre back. "When we needed a little bit of luck we didn't get it. It was definitely a handball by Maldini and I turned to the referee to appeal.

"However, in fairness he was in a difficult position and looking through a ruck of bodies so it was difficult for him to see it properly."