Martin O'Neill has insisted Celtic can still qualify for the Europa League knockouts despite a 4-1 defeat in Lisbon. The Hoops crumbled to another heavy loss as Benfica stormed to victory, leaving Celtic pointless after two games and facing an uphill battle to reach the latter stages.
O'Neill backs Celtic's Euro hopes
Celtic now face a must-win showdown against Celta Vigo at Parkhead next Thursday, but O'Neill is confident there is still life in the European campaign. He said: "I genuinely believe that, as I said to you it's not bravado on my part here today, I would absolutely."
"I thought we showed in the second half that we were capable but in all honesty, despite the great chance we had to make it 2-1 a few minutes later, we were a bit passive. That might have just been early on in the occasion, it might have been the early goal that we conceded but I thought we did really well in the second half and it gives me a great heart and I feel that it says determinedly, we think we can do it. I know it's tough, six games to go but I think that we, our ambition is to try and make it."
Heavy defeat in Lisbon
Celtic shipped three first-half goals as £64million hitman Jhon Duran netted a brace and Alexander Bah added a third. Camilo Duran pegged one back after the break to give the visitors some hope before Vangelis Pavlidis put the final nail in the coffin.
But it was another frustrating night for misfiring Kasper Hogh, who drew another blank and was hooked at half-time. O'Neill confessed he has a decision to make up front ahead of Sunday's clash with Hearts.
Battle for places
He said: "I think it's a battle for places, it really should be, that's something I've just said to the boys in the dressing room. If you want to be part of this you've got to knuckle down, be a part of it, because we've got a long season ahead. We've got a big game on Sunday, another match in the Europa League coming up."
"Honestly there's a speedy determination within the group. It was tough the first half today but we got at them and we felt as if we could have done that a wee bit earlier."
It was another bruising night for Celtic in the continent as Benfica condemned the Hoops to a third successive Euro flop. With fans pointing the finger at the board, O'Neill was asked who's to blame for the club's repeated failings.
He said: "No, that's a big, big question. I haven't seen all the things that have happened over the last 20 odd years. I've just spoken to the Benfica manager before the game and naturally, although he wasn't here at the time, but they are massively disappointed that they're not in the Champions League. There's some really serious teams in this Europa League, but that aside, your question demands a longer answer than I can give at this minute."
