Craig expects scrap to qualify

CELTIC lost their final two Europa League groups games last season, conceding seven goals in the process, yet still qualified with one match to spare. Such a charmed passage has no chance of happening this year, according to Craig Gordon.

The Europa League does not often do a Group of Death but, with the fourth seeds Molde defeating Fenerbahce in Turkey and drawing with Ajax, the section housing Celtic has shaped up in the opening weeks as a Group of Dread.

Fresh from the disappointment of Scotland going undefeated against the Republic of Ireland and Poland, yet exiting Euro 2016 qualifying without threatening a play-off place, Gordon has forecast ‘a scrap to the end’ for the two qualifying berths from Group A, with all four teams contenders to reach the next round.

Celtic have kicked off with 2-2 draws in Amsterdam and at home to Fenerbahce as problems keeping clean sheets in Europe have spread to a new season while Ronny Deila’s team and Gordon adjust to a revamped defence.

Gordon said: ‘The way things have started, maybe we’ll need less than 10 points. Molde have come from the bottom pot to the top of the group. When you look at some of the other groups, they aren’t alone in what they’ve achieved.

‘We could’ve won them both our games so far, but could’ve lost them both. I think it’s a tight group and we’re all going to take points off each other. It’s still all to play for. Molde are at the top because they have started the best.

‘I’m not too surprised by that. There are teams qualifying for the Euros that you may not have expected. The surprise results are everywhere and you don’t know what to expect.

‘We’ll see how it pans out nearer the end but, obviously, the next two games will be crucial. We’ve given ourselves a good chance with our opening draws and it’s still all to play for. It’s going to be a scrap right until the end.’