Rome, November 27 - AC Milan's 3-0 win over Glasgow Celtic on Tuesday did more than put the Serie A giants within reach of qualifying for the knockout round of the Champions League.

It also gave the seven-time European champions a vital lift in a season that, so far, has brought little to cheer about.

Goals by Kakà, Cristian Zapata and Mario Balotelli mean Milan only need a draw in their last Group H match against Ajax at the San Siro next month to go through to the round of 16.

It also gave coach Massimiliano Allegri respite from speculation he is about to get the sack, with his side 13th in Serie A with 14 points from 13 games, 20 behind leaders Juventus. The style of the win was probably as important as the result itself.

Milan, who have been booed by their own fans several times of late, have been hit by lapses of concentration and periods of listlessness in their recent domestic displays.

But in Glasgow they showed determination, speed and ideas from the off.

The man-of-the-match was Kakà, who returned to Milan in the closed season after four disappointing years.

He set Milan on their way with an early header and his surging runs and penetrating passes resembled the play of his first stint at Milan, from 2003 to 2009, during which he helped them win a Serie A title and a Champions League crown.

Italy forward Balotelli also regained a smile with his first goal for the club in almost two months.

Balotelli has again been at the centre of a media storm after reported late shows for training and a mystery tweet proclaiming "this is the end" ignited speculation he could be on his way to another club.

Sports pundits were quick to point out that Allegri's side still have many problems.

But the players are hopeful Tuesday's clash will be a watershed.

"It could be the turning point," Kaka told Uefa.com.

"This success has given us confidence. Now we have a difficult match against Catania (in Serie A at the weekend).

"It's important for us to win again in the domestic championship too to get out of this difficult situation.

"We had to beat Celtic. It was fundamentally important to interrupt a bad series of results.

"Now qualification for the next round is in our hands".

Napoli, meanwhile, need to beat Group F leaders Arsenal 3-0 in their last match to be sure of progressing after they lost 3-1 at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

Napoli, who made a strong start to the season but have now lost their last three games in all competitions, are level with Dortmund with nine points from five games, but they are third in the group because the Germans have a better record in the head-to-heads.

Italian champions Juventus face Copenhagen in Turin on Wednesday looking for a win to boost their hopes of qualifying from Group B.

Juve are currently bottom of the group, one point behind Copenhagen and Turkey's Galatasaray and seven behind leaders Real Madrid. "We have to win if we are to continue in this competition," said Juve coach Antonio Conte.

"The match will be tough and full of danger but the solution is easy: we know we have to win, otherwise we will not have a tomorrow in the Champions League.

"I don't need to explain anything to my players".