Shaun Maloney believes Celtic must protect the reputation they have built on the European stage.
The Scottish champions were knocked out of the Champions League by LASK before making a miserable start to their Europa League campaign, losing to Ferencvaros and Benfica.
Martin O’Neill’s side now need to earn their first points against Celta Vigo tonight if they are to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout phase alive.
Celtic’s disappointing European form has become a major source of frustration among supporters. The Green Brigade are boycotting the match against the Spanish club as part of their continuing protest over the way Celtic is being run.
With the 60th anniversary of the Lisbon Lions set to be marked in May, assistant manager Maloney says the current squad must understand the legacy they carry whenever they step onto the European stage.
Celtic players trudge off after being soundly beaten 4-1 by Benfica in Lisbon
“Our reputation in Europe is really important,” Maloney said.
“We felt that last year. Before the Feyenoord game, there was a point when we were unsure whether we would select our strongest team because of the important matches that were coming up.
“We had some really important games ahead of us.
“At that stage, we had already endured a very difficult start.
“But European matches matter enormously to this club and its history, so you have to commit fully to them.
“This is now a really, really important game.
“When you look at our away matches, supporters have already paid and made arrangements to travel with the team. We have to do everything possible to make an impact in Europe.
“That mentality is ingrained in this club. It is difficult, but we have to keep trying.”
Celtic previously overcame Celta Vigo on away goals 24 years ago, a victory that helped O’Neill’s team advance towards the UEFA Cup final in Seville.
Parkhead No2 Maloney wants to see pride as the team tries to salvage their Euro campaign
Asked whether Celtic supporters could realistically expect another deep run in European competition, Maloney admitted the club still had plenty to prove.
“It is difficult for me to say we are close after defeats by Benfica and Ferencvaros,” he said.
“As a team, we have a great deal of work to do before we can beat Celta Vigo.
“However, teams across Europe have shown that even without the biggest budgets, it is possible to go a long way in these competitions. That has to be our ambition. To achieve it, every part of the club must perform at the highest level — the coaching staff, recruitment team and every other department have to get things right.”
‘We’re obviously not there now but that is what we should aspire to.
‘Even with our budget in terms of the European stage, we should be trying to get as far in European competition as we possibly can.
‘Recently clubs with a similar budget have done it so that has to be our motivation.’
A large section of the support remains convinced that the club’s hierarchy doesn’t share their ambitions to see Celtic reach the heights they previously did under O’Neill.
Maloney was asked if he believed the club had the same level of ambition as the fanbase.
‘I hope so,’ he said. ‘I haven’t heard anyone saying anything different. In fairness, I don’t speak to the board very often, that’s for the boss.
‘But I hope so. Every supporter is desperate for that. They are desperate to get back to the Champions League, which will be hard as we have to win our own domestic league first.
‘But it’s something I know the fans are desperate for and while we are in the Europa League, how deep can we go?’
Maloney said he respected the stance of any supporter who stays away tonight while remaining hopeful that full houses will become routine once again.
Celtic lost 3-1 at home to Ferencvaros in their Europa League opener last month
‘It’s a really difficult position,’ he said. ‘I’d imagine those guys (who are boycotting) are the same ones who went to Benfica and Motherwell away.
‘So, it’s a really difficult moment. I hope we get to a stage where we are all united again.
‘If these guys are missing tomorrow then I respect their decision. I respect the ones coming to the game.
‘I am just hopeful we can get back to the feeling we had towards the end of last season.
‘We had it against Hearts at the weekend too. It was a brilliant atmosphere.
‘You can’t underestimate how big an impact it can have. We were coming back from the Benfica defeat and they were brilliant.
‘Whoever the key guys are in the supporters groups and the club, hopefully we can find a way to get through this.’
Despite returning to training, tonight’s game will come too early for Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston with Sunday’s trip to Easter Road a possibility. Auston Trusty also misses out with a personal issue.
O’Neill will be in the dug-out having missed the pre-match media conference with a personal issue of his own.
