MIKAEL LUSTIG insists Celtic must regain their ruthless streak – or face the dire consequences when they face Fenerbahce in the Europa League at Parkhead on Thursday night.
Ronny Deila’s team dominated Hearts in the Premiership clash at the weekend, but had to settle for a solitary point in a frustrating goalless stalemate.
Remarkably, the champions had TWENTY-FOUR attempts on goal during a one-sided 90 minutes. Equally astonishingly, only a meagre five were on target. There were also 51 crosses put into the box, but none brought a goal against a side who surrendered threee in the first-half at home to Aberdeen last week.
The Swedish defender thought it was “unbelievable” the side did not hammer the Tynecastle men and he said: “In Europe, we won’t get as many chances as we did against Hearts.
“When chances come our way we need to score as we did against Ajax. Hearts defended quite well after the break, but in the first-half we should have had four or five goals.
“We wanted three points and the way we played, especially in the first-half, then it’s unbelievable we didn’t win it.
“We played good football, but you would rather play badly and get the three points. We still need to try to stay positive. We did a lot of things well and we need to take them into the Fenerbahce match.
“I think the fact the Turks lost the first group game means that they need a lot of attacking play and three points.
“It’s going to be difficult, but, while we are a bit sad at drawing with Hearts, we need to lift ourselves.
“In Europe, when we get opportunities we need to make sure they count.”
The new season has not started well for Fenerbahce’s top star Robin van Persie since his move from Manchester United, but the Dutch international striker is capable of punishing any team.
Former Old Trafford team-mate Nani is also likely to be in the Turkish line-up and he, too, has the ability to turn a game on its head.
Lustig warned: “I’ve played against both of them before at international level.
“They are a little bit older now, but they are very good quality and excellent footballers.
“Remember, too, there will have the support of nine other good players. Fenerbahce is a big club who has spent a lot of money, so I’m sure it will be a huge game.”
While Celtic were drawing 2-2 against Ajax in Amsterdam in the opening group game, the Turks were collapsing to a 3-1 defeat at home to Molde.
A victory at Parkhead is an absolute must for Deila and Co and they need to make sure the firing squad is ruthless on this occasion.
