and ALAN MacDERMID

HE was among thousands of Celtic supporters who descended on Milan to watch their team take on the giants of Italian football. But Raymond Donnelly died after being struck by a taxi near the city's cathedral.

Police said the father of two had been trying to cross the Via Santa Sofia at 11.27pm on Tuesday when a cab carrying a passenger struck him.

Mr Donnelly, 36, a technical director with Alfred McAlpine, was taken to the Niguarda Hospital suffering from head injuries. He was pronounced dead at 1am.

Originally from Lenzie, Mr Donnelly had recently moved from a house in Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire, and was renting a property while a new family home was being built in Lenzie. It is understood that he was a member of Lenzie Golf Club.

Joanne Yeadon, spokeswoman at the British consulate general in Milan, said: "We can confirm a British citizen was killed last night in a road traffic accident at 11.30pm involving a taxi. Next of kin have been informed."

Last night Mr Donnelly's partner, Michelle Butler, 39, told of her grief at his death. The couple have two children, Megan, nine, and three-year-old Ewan, and were about to move into a new home.

Ms Butler said she found out about the tragedy in an early morning phone call from his mother.

She said: "I'm devastated. Raymond had gone out to Italy for the game with a couple of his close friends. All I know is that he was involved in an accident. One of Raymond's friends called his mum to tell her what had happened. They didn't think I would be up to taking a telephone call like that. His mum then contacted me.

"Megan and Ewan are very upset and we are just trying to cope the best we can. I just can't believe what's happened, it's been a terrible shock."

Former Celtic captain and manager Billy McNeill spoke of his dismay at the news ahead of Celtic's game against AC Milan.

He said: "This is a tragedy. You've got a guy who's gone over there with his pals for a trip and this happens.

"The fans that go to the away games are a credit not only to their club but to their country, and for something like this to happen is very sad."

A spokesman for Alfred McAlpine, a support services business, paid tribute to Mr Donnelly, who joined the firm in June 2003 and was a technical director.

He said: "He was a very popular guy, a well-respected member of the senior management team. He was hands-on and knew a lot of people in the business well. He will be sadly missed."

AC Milan offered "deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the Scottish fan".

Despite warnings from Celtic and Strathclyde Police, it was estimated that at least 6000 fans travelled to Milan without tickets. Celtic fans were reported to have snapped up tickets for the home supporters' end at the San Siro.

Italian police appeared to be applying a light touch to security and segregation measures in the countdown to the kick off, with many Celtic fans sitting among the home crowd.

Segregation was not being rigidly enforced, and at that stage the opposing fans were mixing well.

"We got by with a cursory glance at our passports," said lawyer and Celtic fan Paul Reid.