STEPHEN WELSH says the ‘serial winners’ that pack out the Celtic dressing room will ensure that Neil Lennon’s side bounce back quickly from the disappointment of their derby day defeat to Rangers.

Young defender Welsh was thrown into an understrength Celtic side who were comprehensively outplayed as Rangers swept to a 2-0 victory on Saturday to move four points clear at the top of the Premiership table.

For Welsh, the abject performance put on by the champions was a blip, and he is adamant that Celtic will be ready to lift themselves for their opening Europa League group game against AC Milan on Thursday night.

“There are serial winners in that changing room,” Welsh said. “So, I have no problem with that.

“It is still early in the season and it is one result.

“Anything can change. You saw it last season and have seen in other seasons when we have won all these trophies.

“Everyone gets beaten. You cannot go through a full season and not lose. It happens.

“It’s really disappointing, but we have so many big games to come back into. We just need to bounce back and there is nothing better than a game against AC Milan. There’s the Scottish Cup. There are so many [big games coming up].”

Welsh refused to use the lack of supporters at Celtic Park as a reason for the lack of urgency that was a hallmark of his side’s showing against Rangers.

“With 60,000 fans in the stadium we feel as though we can beat anyone,” he said. “But it’s not an excuse. We’ve played in it like that a few times now.

“Personally, it would have been great to have had 60,000 [there], but you just need to deal with it and play your own game.”