Martin O’Neill has admitted he sees Camilo Durán’s strongest position as through the middle after Celtic’s 4-1 defeat to Benfica.

Celtic were already 3-0 down by half-time after a damaging first 45 minutes at the Estádio da Luz, with Jhon Durán scoring twice for Benfica and Alexander Bah also finding the net.

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But O’Neill’s changes helped Celtic look more dangerous, with Haissem Hassan and Callum Osmand adding pace in wide areas and Camilo Durán becoming more involved centrally.

Speaking to BBC Sport after the match, O’Neill was asked whether Durán should be used more often through the middle.

He said: “That is his strongest position. He can play wide. He has done that there in his previous clubs.

“I personally feel his best position is there. It’s a matter of us trying to fit that in.

“I’m not afraid we can do that.”

Høgh started through the middle in Lisbon but was replaced at half-time after another difficult European night.

He did hit the post from close range in the first half, but he also lost possession before Benfica’s third goal, which all but killed the game before the interval.

Durán, meanwhile, looked far more threatening when he moved into central areas.

O’Neill also made clear that places are there to be fought for.

He said: “I think it’s a battle for places. It really should be this.

“Something I’ve just said to the boys in the dressing room.

“If you want to be part of this, you go knuckle down. Be a part of it.”

Celtic now turn quickly towards Sunday’s league match against Hearts, and O’Neill has a decision to make in attack.

Durán has shown he can hurt teams from wide areas, but Lisbon gave another reminder that his biggest threat may come when he is closer to goal.

After a night when Celtic’s defending left them with too much to do, the manager may still have found something worth carrying into the weekend.