Martin O'Neill wants Celtic to get off to a decent start when they host Ferencvaros in their opening Europa League match on Thursday at 20:00 BST.
The game arrives at an important moment for Celtic, who are trying to reset quickly after last Sunday’s 3-0 defeat by Rangers at Ibrox in the League Cup. O'Neill said the response has to come immediately, stressing that defeat should hurt and that the team must rise to the occasion.
That challenge is made harder by a packed schedule. Celtic are entering a run of seven games in 22 days, a stretch O'Neill described as an eye-opener and one that will help show which players can handle the demands of this part of the season. As he put it, the season will be tough, tomorrow will be tough, and Celtic must find ways to win regardless of who plays.
Fitness and selection questions
One issue heading into Thursday is Camilo Duran, who missed training on Wednesday after travelling to London for a visa in relation to a Colombia call-up. The 20-year-old's availability is therefore unclear, leaving Celtic to manage another potential selection wrinkle before their European opener.
O'Neill also used the build-up to reflect on the club’s previous title run, saying Celtic have done it before, including when the odds were piled against them. He linked that history to the current moment, saying the team now has to find ways to win football matches and quickly regain their footing.
Ferencvaros will offer a real test. O'Neill said they have three lads who are exceptional players and will cause Celtic lots of problems, underlining the need for a disciplined performance rather than a loose response to the derby setback.
He also explained how Celtic intend to get the best from Camilo Duran and Colby Donovan, saying Duran has played in a number of positions and that his best role is either centre forward or just off the centre forward. For O'Neill, the priority is simple: identify the strongest options, settle the team and take the first points of the campaign.
For Celtic, Thursday is about more than just the result. It is a chance to show that the Rangers defeat is already behind them and that they can handle the pressure of a demanding run with Europe now added to the mix.
