Celtic assistant manager John Collins insists 'we can still qualify in Europa League'
Friday 13 November 2015 11:32, UK
Celtic's assistant manager John Collins remains hopeful the Hoops can still qualify for the knockout stages of the Europa League.
However, he accepts they will have to improve defensively to do so.
Ronny Deila's side have conceded nine goals in four Europa League games and sit bottom of Group A following back-to-back defeats by Norwegian club Molde, including a reverse at Celtic Park last week.
However, Celtic can still qualify from the group if they beat Ajax (h) and Fenerbahce (a) in their remaining two fixtures.
Collins: said: "Obviously European teams have a lot of talent throughout them. We are playing against champions.
"We have had a lot of injuries at the back, we have chopped and changed. That's two reasons. We are doing very well domestically, creating lots of chances and scoring goals. But we have conceded more than we would like.
"We work hard on the training ground every day to try to get better. The challenge in Europe is for the two games coming up. Win those games and we are through. We can look at the positives or the negatives but we are still in it."
As for facing Ajax and Fenerbahce, he added: "What gives me the encouragement is, if anyone watched the performance in Amsterdam we went there and were a match for them from start to finish, passing and moving and creating chances.
"We look at the game and think, if we were a match for them there, we can be a match for them here and better in front of a fantastic crowd at Celtic Park.
"We played very well against Fenerbahce and scored a couple of terrific goals. But we conceded goals when we shouldn't have. They are two 50-50 games against big clubs and we look forward to the challenge."
