Despite a 4-1 defeat to Benfica on Thursday evening, midfielder Benjamin Nygren still thinks Celtic can qualify for the knockout stages of the Europa League, claiming 'it's in our own hands'.
Martin O'Neill side were beaten heavily at Estadio da Luz, their second consecutive loss in the Europa League after Ferencvaros won 3-1 at Parkhead a fortnight ago.
Two games in, and Celtic sit third-bottom of the league phase. They face Celta Vigo at home next Thursday, before welcoming Besiktas to Glasgow a few weeks later.
Trips to face Torreense and Omonia Nicosia lie in wait before the year is out, with games against Marseille and Union Saint-Gilloise in store in January.
"Yes, that's what you always have to believe," Nygren said, when asked if Celtic can still reach the knockout stages. "It's still six games to go so it's in our own hands."
Celtic were 3-0 down at half-time on Thursday. Nygren replaced Oliver Sorensen in the 57th minute, shortly before his side reduced the deficit through Camilo Duran.
"You always have to believe," Nygren continued. "In the second half when I was on the pitch and we scored, I thought we could come back into the game. I thought we had momentum.
"I thought we played better than the opposition at that time so I always believed.
"I thought we took over the game a little bit. We got a goal and played a bit better but the first half was a bit difficult to watch because we were down 3-0."
The Thursday-Sunday grind will doubtless take its toll on Celtic. Title challengers Rangers have no European football to contend with, but it's where Nygren wants to be.
"It's difficult to say," he responded, when asked whether the packed schedule will impact Celtic's performances. "When you're a Celtic player you want to play in the biggest competitions in European football, so you want to play those games.
"But like you say, it's a lot of games, that's how it is.
"You have a lot of games, so we're pretty used to playing every three or four days. Unfortunately we didn't win tonight (Thursday), but we played a good side, so we just have to focus on the next game and to win that game."
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That game is at home to Hearts this Sunday. It's the first meeting of the sides since May's title shootout, with Celtic scoring two late goals to deny the Tynecastle club their first league championship since 1960.
Given what happened last season, does Nygren expect Hearts to arrive in Glasgow with added motivation?
"Of course, I think they do every time," he said. "I think all teams do when they come to Celtic Park and play us.
"Last time we played was a very special game, a game I will never forget. It was a great day and a great ending. It's a big game, a very important game, so I'm looking forward to it."
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