IT should have been better. It could have been worse.

But Celtic’s 2-2 draw with Fenerbahce at Celtic Park on Thursday evening left Ronny Deila’s side lamenting a lost opportunity.

With the Turks on the ropes and Celtic coasting, it took an unforced error from Nigerian defender Efe Ambrose to throw a lifeline to the visitors that they gleefully accepted.

However, while yesterday may have felt like a glass half-empty day given the way Celtic allowed a 2-0 lead to unravel, Stefan Johansen has refused to point the finger at his defensive team-mate.

Ambrose apologised in the dressing-room after the game to his colleagues, and it is not the first time that he has had to hold up his hand.

“The supporters can say anything,” said Johansen. “But we will stay behind every player in this team. I thought Efe had a good game, except for a mistake. It is not just his fault that we lost these two points. I thought we looked a bit afraid after they scored their second goal.

“So no-one can blame Efe. Efe is a fantastic player, and he is a great person as well. Okay, maybe the supporters think something else when these kinds of things happen, but his team-mates will always back him up.

“What happens in the dressing-room stays in the dressing-room – that’s how it is. But of course he was disappointed – it’s a ball he should have headed to Craig, and he missed it. But that is what happens sometimes.

“Of course it is disappointing. We felt we had control of the game before we gave away two goals.

“Efe had a bad header back and they have scored – that is what happens against quality players.”

The midfielder has also insisted that there is not a mental problem with Celtic being able to hold a lead, particularly in Europe.

The Hoops threw away a 2-0 lead over Malmo in the Champions League play-off at Celtic Park while domestically they have also rescinded leads in games against the likes of Kilmarnock and Aberdeen.

“I don’t think we struggled to be mentally strong,” said Johansen. “If you play for Celtic, from day one you have to be mentally strong.

“That’s a thing I have learned and I think a lot of the foreign players have as well. They know what is expected at the club and what the fans expect.

“You need to win here. That’s what the fans expect and to do that you need to be strong mentally. I think we are.”

Group A remains wide open, although Celtic’s forthcoming double header against Molde will effectively determine how they fare in the group.

The Norwegians have established a lead at the top of the table after beating Fenerbahce in their opening game and drawing with Ajax this week.

The Hoops and the Dutch side are level on two points apiece while Thursday’s point for Fenerbahce was critical in ensuring they retained a toe-hold in the group.

While Molde were expected to offer the least resistance, they have so far proved it would be unwise to underestimate them.

Johansen, however, has targeted six out of six as he prepares to line up against the team from his homeland.

“Against Molde it is going to be tough,” he said. “They have done really well in their opening two games, but I am really optimistic that over those two games we can get six points. If we play at our best, we are the better team, so that is what we need to focus on. It is going to be difficult, but I am optimistic that we can get the six points and put us in a good position in the group.

“It is disappointing but we are still in an okay position in the group, and now we are going to play Molde two times, and we have to go for six points there.

“They lost their captain and some players. They got a new coach and they are doing well in Europe. Europe is a huge thing for them and they are going to give everything.

“It’s going to be a tough game for us. But I’m pretty sure if we play our best we will beat them in the two games.”

If Celtic are to live up to those expectations as Johansen and Deila return to their home country, they will have to achieve something that neither Ajax nor Fenerbahce have been capable of.

“At the end of the day we have quality players and when we are at our best we are a very good team,” suggested Johansen. “They have done well but we need to go there and play our football.

“We have to attack them and from what I’ve seen of them this year, I’m optimistic we can go there and beat them.”

For now, though, there are more pressing matters at hand.

Aberdeen have the chance to move seven points clear at the top of the table before Celtic play Hamilton Accies on Sunday afternoon in the lunchtime kick-off.

The Dons take on St Johnstone today at Pittodrie and while most observers expect Deila’s side to peg Derek McInnes’ side back, they still have to go out and produce.

“We play in the Scottish Premier League and Hamilton might have 5000 people at the stadium, but that’s how it is,” said Johansen. “It should not be difficult for us at all. We are behind Aberdeen and get the best out of the game. That’s our job.”