Chris Sutton has labelled Celtic’s Europa League meeting with Celta Vigo a must-win, warning that qualification hopes are already hanging in the balance.

Defeats to Ferencvaros and Benfica have left Martin O’Neill’s side without a point from their opening two matches.

Sunday’s 7-1 demolition of Hearts provided a much-needed lift, but Celtic now need to show they can carry that performance into Europe.

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Sutton, who played under O’Neill during the famous run to Seville, believes Thursday will provide another significant examination of this team.

He said to RecordSport:

“It’s a difficult game and the Europa League hopes are really in the balance after the defeats to Ferencvaros and Benfica. It’s a must-win, but the same questions remain about their ability to compete when they go up a level.

“The mood has improved after beating Hearts and sitting top of the league but what happens if if goes badly again on Thursday? Anything could happen as there’s a real Jekyll and Hyde feeling about this team.

“It looks like they will have enough to challenge for the title domestically but that shouldn’t be the limit of the club’s ambition. O’Neill restored Celtic’s reputation in Europe when he first came to the club after a couple of decades in the doldrums.

“But that reputation has been hit in recent years when you look at the teams they have lost to in the Champions League qualifiers in particular. That’s the point supporters are trying to make.

“Celta Vigo are not a Barcelona or Real Madrid, but they are a decent side and they will be a difficult proposition. I hope Celtic can get a result that keeps their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive but finishing in the top 24 of the Europa League should be a minimum requirement never mind the ultimate goal.”

Celtic showed against Hearts how dangerous they can be when their attacking play clicks. However, their European campaign has already been shaped by costly lapses, starting with the Champions League qualifying collapse against LASK.

Thursday is not a mathematical last chance, but another defeat would leave Celtic facing an increasingly difficult route to qualification.

They, after Thursday, will have five games left in their league campaign and that’s plenty of time to pick up some points, but there’s not exactly an easy match for the Hoops. They need to start picking up points, and fast.

Sunday restored some confidence, but a European victory would give supporters stronger grounds to believe a corner has finally been turned.