AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli has admitted his interest in Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer - but he insists he is most impressed by midfielder Callum McGregor.

Transfer speculation had linked the Rossoneri with a move for Norwegian defender Ajer all summer but a deal was never completed.

Now San Siro manager Pioli has turned his attention to Scotland star McGregor ahead of tonight's Europa League showdown in Glasgow.

He said: “We know that Celtic have got a great squad, we have studied them and watched a lot of games.

“One player that had probably impressed me the most is McGregor in the midfield.

“He is a classic modern midfielder, he is a dynamic, technical, midfielder, everything you need in a top midfielder these days.

“With regards to Ajer, we did follow him during the summer but I am really happy with the squad we have got. We have lots of players available in that position just now.”

Pioli also stressed the seriousness with which AC Milan are treating the Europa League ahead of their Group H opener against Celtic at Parkhead.

He added: 

“We worked really hard to get here, both last season and through the preliminary rounds.

“So it is definitely a competition that we want to go as far as we can in and possibly win.

“I have lots of faith in my squad. We want to do well in the Europa League as well as our own championship because we want to make the Champions League next year.

“This is a winning club that is used to winning things. It is going to be very difficult but first of all we want to try and win the group.”