Ronny Deila has urged Celtic to take a sizeable step towards securing a place in the latter stages of the Europa league with a win over Fenerbahce this evening – and the Norwegian believes anything is possible if Celtic progress to the knock-out stages of the tournament.

The Parkhead side will go for the jugular as they seek to land another blow on the Turkish side who lost their opening Group A game to Molde.

Deila believes that qualification is well within the grasp of Celtic and he remains confident that if they can secure European football beyond Christmas that they can make significant inroads into the tournament.

“First off, is to do everything we can to play football in February,” said Deila. “That is the main target for Christmas.

“If we can do that, everything is possible. It is a cup , two games and you have to have a little bit of luck but we will develop as a team so you never know but now, six games, the best teams will get through and we have to put in the best performances we have.

“I think we are in a good place and when we are playing at our best we can beat anybody in this group. That gives us confidence.

“We took an important point away at Ajax and if we win tonight we put ourselves in a very good position in the group. That is why we have a lot to win and we have to attack that opportunity.

“There is tough pressure on Fenerbahce after they lost at home so we could put ourselves in a very good position if we get three points.

"We saw with Malmo that they struggled in the first-half and we had a lot of chances. If we can get that performance over 90 minutes we're going to be hard to beat.

"For me it has to be very clear - that is the match plan and we have to execute it with energy and belief."

The Hoops boss goes into the game on the back of a public pat on the back from Celtic major shareholder Dermot Desmond who spoke yesterday of his satisfaction at the progress he believes the team have made since last year.

Deila blotted his copybook by failing to land a UEFA Champions League spot for the second successive season but the Europa League presents an opportunity for him to atone for that.

"If you can't go through the hard times you'll never be a manager in this business," said Deila. "The same with the players. That is the time to show what kind of character you are. You see what kind of person you are.

"I know what I am and I will stand for my values and my way of thinking in football and leadership."

"So far we have done a lot of good things but we've also made mistakes. That will always happen. But it's the setbacks which sometimes make you better.

"The most important thing is everyone is working together, in good times and bad."

Meanwhile, Deila has a problem to solve at left-back. Emilio Izaguirre is suspended tonight following his dismissal against Ajax and Charlie Mulgrew is unlikely to make the game.

Jozo Simunovic is also carrying an injury meaning that either Tyler Blackett or Kieran Tierney would be the most likely options to deputise for the Honduran internationalist. Stuart Armstrong is physically fit but lacks match sharpness after recovering from a back injury.