Ajax fails to reach last-32 of Europa League

Celtic have confirmed their starting team to take on Turkish giants Fenerbahce in the Europa League this evening.

Since the win is not a must in this match, the Turks will not have to go storming into attack, but they will most surely rely on their best scorer Fernandao to finish the job.

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp had spoken before the game of the need to create rhythm but this was a performance so staccato and out of tune it is hard to see what how the players benefited at all.

Four-time European Cup victor Ajax failed to advance to the Europa League last-32 after drawing 1-1 at home to Norwegian side Molde, as the nine remaining qualifying places for the knockout stage were decided on Thursday. Moments after replacing Scott Allan on 73 minutes, Commons headed in a Mikael Lustig cross for a point but Fenerbahce still progressed.

The Dutch side’s draw handed the initiative back to Fenerbahce of Turkey, which went through in second – behind Molde – in Group A after drawing 1-1 with Celtic.

However, when asked what had too be improved for next season, he replied: “It’s the small things we have to improve on”.

By that stage they were already a goal down, with Craig Gordon the latest player to gift their opponents a goal in this competition, with a first half mistake.

He told Press Association Sport: “It was good to get back”.

“I have confidence. There are small things that we want to do”. “There’s a chance we could top the group if we beat them”.

“Against Molde, we did well but they showed they have been the best team in the group, but of course I have confidence in this group that we can do it and we are going to show it. That” s what’s important in Europe.

The Bhoys have conceded two or more goals in each of their last seven European contests (15 in total).

Eager to make sure of their progression, Fener started brightly and saw Craig Gordon tip Mehmet Topal’s effort onto the post three minutes in before tempers flared in a lively opening 10 minutes.

“I think we would have put ourselves in a great position if we had but, like I say, we didn’t have a lot of luck along the way and especially in Europe you do get bit on the backside”.

“The first game at Celtic was very challenging for us”. We’ve not been that far away.