Martin O’Neill remained defiant and insisted Celtic can still qualify for the Europa League knockout stages despite a bruising 4-1 defeat to Benfica.
Already reeling on the back of losses to LASK Linz and Ferencvaros over the past couple of months, O’Neill’s side were given another brutal European lesson in Lisbon, a city which holds such historical significance for the club.
Celtic have now conceded the most goals of any team in this season’s Europa League – and have shipped 12 in their last three European matches.
Without a win or even a point from their opening two games, they fell behind after only five minutes at the Estadio da Luz when Dane Murray gave away a penalty which was converted by Benfica striker Jhon Duran.
Threatening to run riot every time they ventured forward, Benfica were 3-0 up by half-time thanks to another goal from Duran and one from Alexander Bah.
O’Neill had asked his players to channel the spirit of the Lisbon Lions in their efforts to cause a shock.
O’Neill’s team fell to 4-1 defeat but he still feels they can qualify for knockout rounds
They fell a long way short but the manager claimed he was proud of his players for not capitulating and showing some fight in a second half which saw Camilo Duran pull a goal back.
‘Last thing you want to do is concede so early on,’ said O’Neill, whose side now face a huge game against Hearts on Sunday before taking on Celta Vigo in Glasgow next week.
‘We could’ve capitulated, but I thought the second-half performance was terrific. We created chance after chance.
‘The second-half performance gives me the determination. I think we can still qualify. We can still do it. It’s not bravado on my part. I genuinely believe we can still do it.
‘We came roaring back, the subs came on and did brilliantly. We could’ve scored a number of goals. It changed because two wide players really wanted to get at people.
‘I accept on the break they (Benfica) could have scored themselves, as they did with their fourth goal. But I thought the second half was really terrific.
The Celtic players look dejected after the final whistle sounds in Lisbon on Thursday
‘I take great encouragement from this and even though we’ve lost two games, I genuinely believe that we can make it.
‘Benfica are a very fine side. I think they’ve spent about £100 million, they’re one of the favourites for the competition.
‘We know we can defend better and hopefully we can look to eradicate that over the course of the season.
‘We could have crumbled after going 3-0 down, but we didn’t. We have to take encouragement from that and use that second half performance going into Hearts on Sunday.’
During O’Neill’s first stint as Celtic manager, the club could hold their own in the Champions League and also reached a UEFA Cup Final.
It now looks like another European season could be on the verge of going down the drain after opening their account with two straight defeats.
Vangelis Pavlidis scores the fourth goal for Benfica on a tough night for Celtic
Pressed on why there has been such a decline in the club’s European fortunes, O’Neill replied: ‘No, that’s a big, big question.
‘I haven’t seen all the things that have happened over the last 20-odd years. What I do know is Benfica are a fine side, maybe unfortunate not to be in the Champions League.
‘There are some serious teams in the Europa League. But, that aside, your question demands a longer answer than I can give at this minute.’
Meanwhile, Celtic skipper Callum McGregor admits the team were architects of their own downfall during a dismal first half.
‘It is a disappointing result,’ said McGregor. ‘We were here to get points and win.
‘We were playing against a really good side with with really good quality in final third. First half we didn’t help ourselves.
‘Second half we score one, probably could score another. Bit of a game of two halves.
‘Unforced errors lead to the second and third goals and you have a mountain to climb.
‘We know at this level if you don’t look after the ball you’re going to get punished.’
