SCOTTY SINCLAIR believes Celtic can remain positive despite losing 2-1 to Bayern Munich – and can look forward to making an impact in the Europa League.
Barring a disaster, the Hoops will take third place in Champions League Group B to leave Anderlecht anchored at the foot of the section.
Sinclair said: “It just goes to show where we are going.
“When we scored, I actually thought we were going to go on and win the game.
“We went toe-to-toe with one of the great European names and I think that it says so much that we thought we ought to have taken something from the game.
“There was silence in the changing room afterwards. We were all just sitting there, head in our hands, feeling that we let it go through our fingers a little bit.
“But if that shows anything it is that we have created a winning mentality here, no matter who we play.
“Against PSG and Barcelona we came off the pitch and it was a different feeling. We came off that pitch last night thinking that we should have got a result.
“We still want to try to secure some kind of European football after Christmas and if we can do that then we will feel that we have made progress.
“And if we can replicate that kind of performance then we have to feel that we can be a match for anyone here at Celtic Park.”
Sinclair, who was subbed in the second-half with Tom Rogic, praised James Forrest who was on fire right from the start against the Germans.
The English attacker said: “I thought James was outstanding, but it is no surprise to me.
“We see the work he puts in every day and know just how good a player he is. I thought he was exceptional, but as a team I thought we played very well.
“There was a lot of disappointment when Patrick Roberts got injured at the weekend, but you see what James has got. It is brilliant for the club to have that competition.”
Celtic presented their opponents with the opening goal and Sinclair added: “Yeah, that was disappointing.
“But I think what we have to focus on is the way we didn’t let out heads go down after that.
“We stuck to it and we always felt as though we had a goal in us.
“In the immediate aftermath, it is hard to take the positives when you lose, but I do think we can take a lot of that performance with us as we go forward.
“It is always about the next game for us. It is why we are in the position that we are.
“That is what we have to take over the next few days, that we are capable of going out and performing that way.
“We are making progress and we are getting better. Bayern Munich might go all the way.
“They are a team who will always be one of the favourites to win the competition and that is something that we have to focus on.”
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