Looking to get back on track after defeats by Ferencvaros and Benfica in their first two league phase fixtures, Germany midfielder Mika Baur fired the home side in front just over a minute into the second half and for a short spell it looked like Celtic could go on and get those elusive first three points.

However, Spain international Javi Rodriguez scored twice in three minutes – a header then an unstoppable drive – to leave the Hoops with no points from nine in the league phase with five fixtures remaining.

O’Neill told TNT Sports: “We conceded a free-kick and I thought a second before that we should have had a foul for us.

“They score from the free-kick and it knocks us a little bit. It gave them a bit of momentum.

“I think if [Liam] Scales’ header goes in to make it 2-0, we get the three points.

“We’ve lost three matches now, remarkably we’re still in with a chance [of progressing].

“We’ve got to win here and got to win away from home.

“We take the lead in the game, if we get the second goal we win the match and it changes the whole dynamic.

“It didn’t happen, that’s it – we need to try to find a way to win European games.”

Baur admits Celtic are simply struggling at Europa League level at the moment.

He said: “The focus is performing every three days in the league. That’s first and then performing in Europa League or international football as well.

“At the moment, maybe we are not capable to win these games. But in two weeks, that’s the next one, against Besiktas, home again. Hopefully a good atmosphere. We need the points.

“But, absolutely disappointing.

“The first half was absolutely okay, it was an open game.

“Then we scored, then we had 10, 12, 15 minutes where we controlled it and dominated it, and then they scored, and at that moment the momentum switched completely and we were not capable to switch it again.

“We had no control. We made mistakes, they pushed us in our own half, around our box.

“It’s not getting easier now, but there’s still five games ahead. What else should we do then but believe?

“As I said, five games ahead and the chances are there. We need points.”