CELTIC legend Davie Hay reckons a Europa League campaign could inspire the Hoops to realise their Champions League dream next season.

After twice crashing out of Europe's premier club competition following defeats to Legia Warsaw and Maribor, Ronny Deila's side will face FC Salzburg tomorrow night aiming to get off to a winning start in Group D.

It is not the competition Deila, his players or the Parkhead faithful want to be competing in after two glamour campaigns at the top table under Neil Lennon in recent years.

But Hay has urged the champions to make the most of the situation they find themselves in and use the European exposure to their advantage in the long run.

He said: "Of course Celtic would have preferred the situation to be different and to be playing Champions League football. But it is not to be.

"Now let's see what Celtic can do in the Europa League. I think these games could help them in the Champions League next season.

"It happened with Neil Lennon a few years ago when they were in the Europa League.

"I think that then stood them in good stead for the following season going back into the Champions League.

"If you look at it like that and take the positives out of a lot of negatives then that is a better way to approach the rest of the season.

"You will get the experience of playing in Europe, albeit against a lower quality of opposition, and the team can hopefully gain some confidence to take into next season.

"It could also help their quest for trophies this season. You want to do well in all competitions and the momentum of winning games can carry you through a season and Celtic will, of course, want to win everything on the domestic front."

Celtic warmed up for their trip to Salzburg with a 2-1 win over Aberdeen on Saturday as the Hoops got their Premiership campaign back on track after a sticky start.

Deila handed bows to forwards Stefan Scepovic, Alexsander Tonev and John Guidetti and youngster Callum McGregor reckons that will stand them in good stead.

He said: "It's important that you push yourself every day and that will come naturally now with the new boys coming in.

"They will be looking for places but the boys that have the jerseys will be looking to keep them, so there will be healthy competition for places."