Tonight, the Europa League returns to Paradise, with Celtic preparing to welcome Turkish side Be?ikta? to Celtic Park.

And honestly, fellow Celtic fans, I wish I could tell you that I am approaching this fixture with enormous excitement, confidence and the expectation of watching our boys in green and white produce a European performance worthy of this magnificent football club.

Unfortunately, I would be lying.

Celtic’s current situation is hardly one of heather growing proudly across the Scottish moors, with its beautiful scent filling the air. No, no, no.

The atmosphere surrounding our European campaign is considerably less romantic. In fact, it has become rather depressing. Let me remind you of what we have witnessed in the Europa League so far this season.

Our campaign began with a miserable 3-1 defeat at Celtic Park against Ferencváros. Losing your opening European fixture at home is bad enough, but the manner of that performance left plenty to be desired.

Then came Benfica, where Celtic suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat in Portugal.

Four goals conceded, another European disappointment and precious little evidence that we were learning from our previous mistakes.

And just when I thought things could hardly become more frustrating, Celta arrived at Paradise. We lost 2-1. Three Europa League matches. Three defeats. Nine goals conceded and only three scored.

That is not the European form I associate with Celtic.

That is not what I expect from a club with our history, traditions and ambitions.

Of course, I understand that European football is difficult. I am not suggesting that Celtic should walk into every European fixture expecting to collect three points. We are not Manchester City, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

But there is a considerable difference between losing against quality opposition and repeatedly producing performances which leave supporters wondering what on earth they have just witnessed.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is precisely where my frustration lies.

Do I expect miracles tonight? No. Do I expect a brilliant performance and a convincing result? No, not particularly. But do I demand Celtic perform considerably better than they have done in our previous European fixtures?

Absolutely bloody yes.

And I think every Celtic supporter reading this will understand why.

Be?ikta? are certainly not coming to Glasgow to admire the architecture of Celtic Park. They arrive with seven points from their opening three Europa League fixtures, having beaten Marseille 4-1, defeated Hoffenheim 3-2 and drawn 2-2 with Crystal Palace.

They are unbeaten in this competition so far and they are an opponent who will punish defensive mistakes, exploit weaknesses and make life extremely uncomfortable if Celtic allow them to dictate proceedings.

There is also an interesting subplot involving former Celtic striker Oh Hyeon-gyu.

He knows our club, knows our surroundings and will undoubtedly want to show how much he has developed since leaving Glasgow.

He has already scored twice in the Europa League for Be?ikta? this season, so Celtic should require no warning about the threat he can pose.

But let me return to Celtic.

Martin O’Neill has a considerable amount of work to do. Sunday’s 2-0 defeat against Falkirk did absolutely nothing to improve the mood around Paradise. In fact, it only added another layer of frustration to an already uncomfortable situation.

I have enormous respect for Martin O’Neill and everything he has done for Celtic.

However, respect for a manager’s achievements does not mean supporters should stop asking difficult questions.

We need performances. We need organisation. We need tactical clarity and, above all, we need a team which looks as though it knows exactly what it is trying to achieve.

I want to see players taking responsibility.

I want to see proper cooperation between our midfield and attacking players. I want our defence to stop looking vulnerable every time an opponent approaches our penalty area.

And I want to see some bloody determination.

We are playing at Paradise.

This is our home.

The green and white Lion of Celtic Park should not be wandering around Europe looking for its identity. I also hope our supporters make themselves heard tonight.

Celtic Park can be an extraordinary place when the atmosphere catches fire.

Our supporters deserve something to believe in, something to get behind and, most importantly, something to be proud of.

I wish Celtic could perform with flying colours both domestically and in Europe. I wish I could approach every matchday believing that our team would deliver something special. I wish we could return to the European nights when opponents knew they were coming to Paradise and understood precisely how difficult their evening was going to be.

But I also have to come to terms with the reality of our current situation.

Three European defeats have left us with no points, while tonight’s opponents are unbeaten in the competition. The statistics are hardly encouraging, and I am certainly not going to manufacture optimism simply because I desperately want Celtic to win.

However, there is one thing I refuse to abandon: my belief that Celtic should demand considerably more from themselves.

I am not asking for miracles. I am asking for a proper performance, some footballing intelligence, commitment, determination and a team which understands what wearing that beautiful green and white shirt actually means.

Come on, Celtic. Give us something to smile about tonight.

For Paradise, for the badge and for every supporter who continues to believe.

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