[ad_1]
Defender Nir Bitton says Celtic players remain confident they can reverse the poor results that continued Thursday’s 4-2 loss to AC Milan.
The defeat means that the Scottish champions have the worst defensive record in the Champions League or Europa League group stage this season.
Celtic are last in Group H of the Europa League with one point from five games.
“We believe in ourselves, we believe we can turn it around, we believe in our quality,” Bitton said.
“Every team in history has this moment where they have a bad streak. It’s happened to us now.”
Celtic’s 17 goals not reaching the knockout stage is one more than Hungarian Ferencvaros, who have the worst defensive record in the Champions League after knocking out Glasgow, and Ludogorets Razgrad in Bulgaria. in the Europa League.
They are also two more than Irish Dundalk and, with two wins in their last 11 in all competitions, Celtic are 11 points behind leading Rangers in the Scottish Premiership, albeit with two games in hand.
Thursday’s loss came despite goals from Tom Rogic and Odsonne Edouard giving Neil Lennon’s team a two-goal lead in the first 15 minutes at the San Siro.
“We are obviously disappointed with the result, but I felt like we played well as a team against a superior team,” Bitton said. “Once again we conceded four goals and it’s not good enough at this level. It’s not good enough at any level.
“But I think overall, we show some moments of how good we can be. We don’t listen to anyone outside the team, we believe in our quality, we have a strong squad, we have faith in ourselves and we need to show it now.”
Sunday’s 2-0 Scottish League Cup loss at home to Ross County sparked angry protests outside Celtic Park as fans called for Lennon’s sacking.
However, ahead of St Johnstone’s league visit on Sunday, Bitton believes they can handle the pressure as they seek a historic 10th consecutive national league title ahead.
“We are professionals, this is our job, this is what we have to deal with,” he added. “We have enough quality in the squad for this to happen and it is in our hands.
“We have to play for each other, support each other and only by being together can we do it.”
