‘WE WILL IMPROVE,’ DEILA

RONNY DEILA tonight repeated his claim Celtic will show a vast improvement in Europe next season after bowing out of the Europa League without a win.

The Hoops boss said: “Of course, I have confidence in this group of players, that we can do it and we’re going to show it.

“This club can do it, but it’s a selling club, it’s a club that want to build up talents. We want to be among the big teams and that’s in the Champions League.

“This year, we have conceded too many easy goals. We have scored goals. It’s small things that have to be better to get the results we want.

“We know what we want, we know what we need and we’re going to do everything we can to get that right next year.

“But, before that, we have a lot of games and we are looking forward to that, as well.

“They showed today that they can get results.”

A fourth successive European loss looked on the cards after Fenerbahce took the lead, Lizar Markovic scoring after a howler from goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

Deila explained: “It was a difficult situation. Craig was thinking that he was coming first on the ball and then he was taking his legs a little bit out.

“He didn’t touch it, maybe because he was afraid to meet the goalkeeper and it’s gone through his legs.

“That can happen in a football game, but he had a couple of very good saves, as well.”

Fenerbahce’s Diego, who had earlier clashed with Stefan Johansen, was dismissed for kicking out at the midfielder and substitute Kris Commons soon headed Celtic level.

Deila added: “Things turned around on the red card and also we brought on fresh legs and creative players in James Forrest, Kris Commons and Tom Rogic.

“We got our goal and I’m very satisfied with that. We had three good substitutes and we turned it.

“The back four defended well, on the ball we can be better and also in the midfield – play passes forward instead of playing sideways and backward.

“These are things we have to work on. Overall, it’s a good performance and a good result. To get something from Fenerbahce is tough.”