Celtic have made a disappointing start to the season, and have tried to address their issues ahead of a Europa League clash with Ajax tonight.
Ronny Deila has told Celtic’s official website the air has been cleared around the Glasgow giants after their recent defeat to Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.
The Bhoys lost 2-1 to Aberdeen at the weekend and, as a result, they are already playing catch-up in the domestic league table.
Their poor league form, combined with an exit in the Champions League qualification stages, has left everyone at the club disappointed, and there have been frank discussions in camp before a Europa League clash with Ajax on Thursday evening.
“Everyone was determined to get into the Champions League and we were very disappointed when we didn’t do it,” Deila said.
“It takes time to get over it but we have cleared the air now and can focus on getting forward. You can be disappointed afterwards but we have so much to look forward to.
“In football you have ups and downs. It never goes in a straight line. Sometimes you have setbacks. Good teams bounce back.”
Celtic are currently trailing Aberdeen by five points, and the pressure is mounting on the side to find top gear at home and abroad.
Too many of their key players appear to be off the pace at the moment, with the team looking disjointed and lacking in confidence.
A win in Holland tonight could change that mentality, though. Celtic have the rare opportunity to go into the game as underdogs, and the chance to play without too much expectation could work in their favour.
Beating Ajax will be a difficult task, though, as Frank de Boer’s side have a lot quality in their ranks and will be keen to get off to the best possible start in their Europa League campaign.
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