Callum McGregor insists Celtic don’t need Champions League ‘fear’ because Brendan Rodgers is wired for one result.

The Scottish champions are struggling in Europe following two defeats, but the captain sees plenty of positives.

Callum McGregor believes Celtic can still advance from their Champions League group.

However, the Parkhead captain admits that his team would need to be flawless in the remaining games if they are to reach the knockout stage. The Hoops are up against it in Europe after an agonizing last-gasp defeat to Lazio in Glasgow on Wednesday rendered them meaningless after the first two games. Atletico Madrid are the next opponents for Brendan Rodgers’ team in a tough double header, but McGregor insists the Celts have nothing to fear at this level.

He said: “I think we still have to target getting out of the group. When we see the games, there’s nothing in it in terms of the quality of the teams. It’s just the fine margins. We’ve played two games and I don’t think we have anything to be scared of at this level. The next game is massively important, we have to get something from it. The group is still tight enough to get out, if not then definitely getting third and having European football after Christmas. The expectation and drive within the dressing room is to get out of the group.”

Celtic have held their own for long spells against Feyenoord in Holland and then let Lazio off the hook at Parkhead. The painful lessons keep coming but McGregor is convinced the Hoops can crack it.

He said: “When you play at this level, the teams have the quality to hurt you. We spent the last 15 to 20 minutes with the ball but we made one mistake and the boy scores with a brilliant header at the back post.

“You almost need to be perfect at this level. You almost can’t make mistakes as teams have the quality to hurt you. A lot of the stuff was good. We created chances, had control of the game and the more time you have with the ball, the less time they have to hurt you with it.

“Would we change the way we play? I don’t think so. The way we are playing is a continuation of what we have been doing over the last few years. We are trying to be progressive, trying to have more of the ball. Celtic has always been built on playing fast, attacking football, dominating, and I don’t think that will change too much.

“It’s just trying to bridge that gap in quality and trying to get results at this level. It’s maybe that bit of luck. It’s maybe just not quite falling for us.

“If you get points on the board or get a win, I think subconsciously the confidence rises, you get the belief and maybe we just need a moment like that to lift the club and start to get the results the team maybe deserves.”

Celtic are a work in progress right now but McGregor has seen the fire behind the eyes of boss Brendan Rodgers as he looks to hammer home domestic dominance and make an impact on the continent.

The captain said: “He wants to win. He’s a winner. I’ve known that since the first time he was here. That’s just the way he’s programmed. He won’t settle for any less.

“You can see he wants to drive the team. It’s still in the infancy stage with what we are trying to do with a new group. We are working relentlessly and it’s about pushing the guys every week. He set the tone.”

Europe has been harsh but Celtic are showing signs of coming to life in Scotland after a stuttering start that saw them bounced out of the League Cup by Kilmarnock – who head to Parkhead on Premiership duty.

McGregor’s side are already top of the table while Rangers are lurching around in crisis and the skipper has warned his side are only just getting warmed up. He said: “It was a wee bit sluggish at the start but we seem to be getting a lot slicker.