SCOTT BROWN hopes the memories of Celtic's run to Seville can inspire them during their Europa League campaign this season.

Ronny Deila's side crashed out of the Champions League last month after a shock defeat to minnows Maribor and will return to continental competition against Salzburg tomorrow night.

In 2002-03, Martin O'Neil's men were defeated by Basel in the Champions League qualifying rounds but went all the way to the Uefa Cup final before losing to Porto.

Skipper Brown said: "We are disappointed that we didn't get into the Champions League.

"We have to go out there and show we are a good team and we can play against these teams home and away.

"Seville was a huge day for the club. There were around 100,000 Celtic fans there.

"It would be great to do that again but we're not going to get too far ahead of ourselves. We have to take it game by game and see how we do.

"We would love to bring memories like that back again but we have to take it one game at a time and do as well as we can in the group.

"We've got a big squad now, with new wingers and a couple of new strikers in. They are looking good in training so hopefully they can take that into games."

As well as failing in the Champions League, Celtic have struggled in the domestic league as they've got the defence of their Premiership crown off to a shaky start.

But Brown, who made his return to the team in the 2-1 victory over Aberdeen on Saturday after injury, insists the Hoops can't blame any outside factors as they bid to kick on this term.

He said: "It's just been getting used to the new shape and new players. Now the transfer window is closed, that's our squad settled. We've got no excuses now.

"We have to try to push on now and start playing the football we know we can play. We did really well against Aberdeen and those three points were a boost."