Fenerbahce vs Celtic - John Collins: Celtic need to do themselves proud against Fenerbahce

Posted Thursday, December 10, 2015 by PA

John Collins believes Celtic's pride is at stake in Thursday's Europa League clash with Fenerbahce in Istanbul.

The Hoops will finish bottom of Group A after taking only two points from five fixtures, meaning the final match is a dead rubber as far as they are concerned.

Parkhead assistant Collins accepts it is a match they could do without, but he is looking for Celtic to finish the campaign on a high against a side that still require a point to qualify for the knockout stages.

"There is a lot at stake for the boys," he said, speaking at Glasgow airport before flying out. "There is pride. It is another European game.

"We want to try to finish the campaign with a good performance and victory. We will be playing our strongest team.

"There is always ifs and buts, but the reality is we never got the results we needed and wanted. We can't qualify but we want to put in a good performance and try to get a result.

"We have already assessed the games we have had. We know we have made mistakes and errors and we know we have to get better.

"We will try to defend better than we have in previous games and of course try to score goals and it is preparation for next season."

Collins is confident Nir Bitton will not be distracted after Celtic were moved to issue a statement stressing there has been no approach for the Israel midfielder.

The Parkhead club responded to comments attributed to the 24-year-old's agent, Dudu Dahan, which suggested Bitton was likely to be the next Hoops player to depart for the Barclays Premier League.

Dahan refuted the quotes attributed to him, saying: "These reports are not correct, I have never said that Nir will leave Celtic."

Asked if there was a possibility of Bitton being distracted, Collins, who values the ever-improving player at "B£10million-plus", said: " Not at all.

"He is a very level-headed young man, very focused, he knows his job is to train and play for Celtic.

"Nir signed a five-year contract. He has been a terrific player for us.

"He has had a fantastic 12 months and hopefully he will have many more for Celtic.

"He is a terrific young boy to work with and I know he is enjoying playing for Celtic."

Midfielder Kris Commons returns to the squad after missing the last four matches with a combination of a hamstring injury and illness.

Meanwhile, Fenerbahce coach Vitor Pereira believes Celtic have been unlucky in the Europa League this season.

Speaking through an interpreter at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, their Portuguese boss claimed things might have been different for the Hoops had they had the rub of the green.

"Teams need luck and Celtic have not had that small element of luck so far," Pereira said. "Luck was not with them.

"They paid hugely for small errors - sometimes a stopped ball or counter-attack cost them.

"Against Ajax, Celtic wanted to score but they made one error and Ajax scored. But it was an even match.

"We have been in a challenging group. Before the group started people did not know Molde and they say they are surprised by them, but Molde has proven that they are a dangerous team.

"The first game at Celtic was very challenging for us. We had lost our balance and the minute we lost control of the game we lost two goals but then we were lucky enough to have a tie.

"Our aim is to win tomorrow but I am sure Celtic will be fighting for their honour and they are going to try to prove that they don't deserve to be in this position in this group.

"It will be a challenging match but as a club we have a strong spirit.

"Our fans, just like those of Celtic, are passionate about their team. It will be a wonderful atmosphere and hopefully we will walk away with three points."

Pereira refused to rule star striker Robin van Persie out of the match, despite missing the 2-2 draw against Gaziantepspor at the weekend with a thigh injury.

Former Manchester United winger Nani and Denmark defender Simon Kjaer are out through suspension.