test2wa

Europa League

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray admits qualification for the knockout stages of the Europa League would be an unexpected bonus.

The Hoops go into the penultimate game against Group C leaders Hapoel Tel Aviv at Parkhead tomorrow night bottom of the pool on two points, five behind second-placed Hamburg.

Mowbray's men need to beat Hapoel and win at Rapid Vienna later in the month, while hoping the Bundesliga side lose both their remaining games.

The former Hibernian and West Brom boss, who cut a rather downbeat figure as he previewed the visit of the Israeli club, appeared to accept that is an unlikely scenario.

Asked if qualification would now be an unexpected bonus, he replied: "That's a fair comment.

"The focus is on winning the last two games and, for the bigger picture, just to keep winning football matches, keeping the confidence high and see where the season takes us.

"We will be as competitive as we have been in the other games and, if the opportunities come along, hopefully we will take them.

"Victory would send us into Saturday (against Aberdeen) looking forward to the game and hopefully three points against another set of tough opponents.

"The consistency of winning helps the belief of a team and that goes hand in hand with a bit of luck.

"You make your own luck and if you are a confident team you probably take a few more opportunities if they come your way."

Celtic's opening Group C game was in Tel Aviv. where they deservedly led through a Georgios Samaras strike before the home side countered with two late goals in the second half.

A defeat by Hamburg at Celtic Park was sandwiched between draws at home to Rapid Vienna and away to the Bundesliga side.

When asked what the story of the Europa League for Celtic had been from his perspective, Mowbray replied: "Probably missed opportunities.

"It's pleasing that we could have won every game.

"But we haven't and there is the frustration that we haven't taken enough points from the level of performances.

"Football is about putting the ball in the net and keeping it out at the other end and ultimately we haven't managed to do that.

"There have been some decent performances without really managing to take advantage of the situation.

"The first game in Tel Aviv was an opportunity that we let slip through our fingers in the last quarter of an hour.

"In all the games we have had the opportunity to win the match and yet we have ended up losing a tight game or drawing a game we should have won.

"But we are where we are."

Hapoel Tel Aviv boss Eli Gutman hopes to learn about the exploits of Celtic legend Jock Stein as he prepares to dump the Parkhead club out of the Europa League in their penultimate Group C clash in Glasgow tomorrow night.

The Israeli side, top of the section with nine points from four games, turned up for training tonight at Celtic Park knowing that one point almost certainly guarantees his side qualification into the knockout stages of the tournament.

Anything less than a win for Celtic, who are bottom of the group with two points, will mean they have no hope of progressing to the last 32.

Ahead of the press conference in the Jock Stein lounge, Gutman had his photograph taken beside a portrait of the former Celtic boss, who took the club to their famous 1967 European Cup final win against Inter Milan in Lisbon, thus becoming the first British side to win the trophy.

Stein cemented his legendary status at the club by guiding them to another European Cup final in 1970 and nine Scottish championship wins in succession, among numerous other trophy wins.

Asked what Stein meant to him Gutman, replied: "The nice photographer asked me to make the picture but to tell you the truth, I don't know a lot.

"But I will be happy to learn.

"Celtic are a big club, with tradition and good players.

"The second 45 minutes when we played them in Tel Aviv in the first game in the section changed things, we pushed and finally won the game 2-1.

"Let's pass over the game in Hamburg, where we lost, but the two games against Rapid Vienna were excellent, not only the results but the performances were very good.

"If we get a good result tomorrow night then it will mean a lot to our club."

Gutman, who later commissioned copies of the photographs he had taken next to Stein's portrait, will have no qualms ending Celtic's interest in Europe this season.

After beating Celtic 2-1, the Israeli side then lost 4-2 away to Hamburg.

However, home and away wins over Rapid Vienna, 5-1 in Tel Aviv and 3-0 in Austria, leaves the Israeli side in the driving seat ahead of tomorrow's game.

Gutman said: "We came here to complete the job and qualify.

"We are expecting to play our game and if we play our game then hopefully we will score.

"We know exactly what to expect. We know the British culture, we know what the reaction of the fans will be and we will do our best."