Former Celtic striker Harald Brattbakk has backed Ronny Deila to get it right at Celtic, despite a catalogue of poor European results this season.

The curtain will come down on Celtic's European season this week after Thursday's game in Istanbul against Fenerbahce.

The Turks can still make it into the last 32 of the competition, while Celtic are playing for little more than the chance to salvage some pride after a disastrous campaign.

It is a chance for Deila to prove he is capable of building a credible Celtic team that can compete in Europe and Brattbakk believes that the Parkhead board are right to give his fellow Norwegian time.

"I have read that Peter [Lawwell] wants to give Ronny a chance to show that he can get it right and I think that is fair," he said. "No-one knows more than Ronny that he must get it right in Europe.

"I know how much he hurt after the Molde games. I know how frustrated he was.

“The big question that he has to ask himself, though, is whether he believes he can take this Celtic team into the UEFA Champions League group stages next summer because that is what he will be judged on. But to my mind, it is right to give him that chance."

Meanwhile, Celtic have been linked with a move for under-17 Croatian internationalist Davor Lovren, although Liverpool have also been keeping tabs on the player. Lovren's brother, Dejan, is currently at Anfield already.

Swansea have also been reported to be keeping an eye on Celtic's Callum McGregor who has recently emerged back into Celtic's first-team.

With the transfer window opening again in four weeks, Deila has admitted that already has his sights on doing some business.

The Norwegian will have an eye on the qualifiers this summer, but what happens in Istanbul this week may well have a bearing on whether or not he gets the opportunity to build a team for that particular challenge.

“You learn a lot about European football but also about your own team," said Deila. " Everybody understands that we have to make improvements. It’s very clear to me what I need to improve for next season. You could say defending but it’s about individual improvements and improving as a team. We have to make the squad stronger and better. That is about developing the players who are here and adding some who can make us even stronger.

"This transfer window could be important. But it’s not just about getting new players but getting the right ones too."