RONNY Deila last night insisted Celtic can still win their final two Europa League group games and qualify for the last 32 despite a defeat to Molde which increased the pressure on him as manager.

Deila and his players were booed off the pitch at Celtic Park last night after a 2-1 loss to opponents who progressed to the knockout round of a European competition for the first time in their history.

However, the Scottish champions can still finish in second place in Group A if they defeat Ajax at home in three weeks’ time and then overcome Fenerbahce away in Turkey next month.

Despite slumping to their second defeat in a fortnight against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side – who became the first Norwegian club to win in Scotland - Deila is confident his side can bounce back and go through.

“I think it’s a realistic chance,” he said. “We have drawn against both teams before now while Molde have been the best team in the group.

“We can beat Ajax here and we can beat Fenerbahce down there. We are going to fight until the end for those six points.

“A lot of things went against us today, but there is still a chance we can qualify and we are going to fight for the six points.”

Deila added: “I think there is a lot of talent in the squad, but we have shown that we haven’t been good enough so far. Having said that, Molde have been the best team.

“We have to give some credit to Molde, I think. They have won almost every game they’ve had in Europa League.

“But we still have an opportunity to beat Ajax and Fenerbahce. We have two points and the best one had just five. So we still have a chance to do something here.

“So it’s two things, we could perform better and we need to be much more clinical when we pay in Europe. We cannot keep conceding so easy goals. If you do that then you will get beaten by a team like Molde.

“The players are very very disappointed and of course angry. They want to do better. Every player wants to win and perform well.”

Deila will be without Nir Bitton, who was sent off towards the end of last night’s match, and Stefan Johansen, who received a booking in the second half, when Celtic host Ajax later this month.

However, the Norwegian is confident his side will be able to cope without the two players who formed his central midfield last night. He said: “Of course, that’s not positive. We want to have everyone available. But hopefully we will have Broony (Scott Brown) back again.”

Deila reiterated his belief that he would remain in charge of Celtic even if the Parkhead club fail to progress in Europe and stressed he would be given time to resurrect their fortunes.

“Yes, I’m confident about that,” he said. “We have done very well domestically. In Europe we haven’t reached the level we want to do. But we are going to improve, that’s what we are going to do.”