Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon has refused to write off the Parkhead side’s Europa League ambitions as Brendan Rodgers’ side prepare to host RB Leipzig on Thursday evening.

The Bundesliga side hold all the aces going into the game; a three point lead over Celtic who are currently in this spot and superior goal difference advantage, something that could well come into play if the two clubs are locked in a fight for the second berth in Group B. Salzburg, also bankrolled by the giant energy drink company, look like easing their way to a straightforward first place finish.

Celtic have two of their remaining three games to play at home with the advantage that brings an obvious one. The Parkhead side are notoriously travel sick when it comes to their Continental jaunts but appear far more capable of doing damage on their own soil.

“We believe we are still in the group and there were things we saw from Leipzig, and in our [first-leg] performance, that gives us hope in Glasgow,” said the Scotland internationalist.

“The home games were always going to be vital for us. We’ve got Leipzig and Salzburg to come to Scotland, while we always felt we’d need to pick up something away from home at some point.

“We haven’t managed to do that so far but there was some encouragement in Germany. We created chances. We didn’t managed to take them and that’s what you need to do at this level.

“That could be the difference at Celtic Park.”

After an antagonistic summer in which Rodgers repeatedly laid bare his sense of frustration at the transfer business of the club there has been a feeling that settling for sustaining domestic dominance is something that Rodgers is prepared to do.

Gordon, though, has maintained that there is no acceptance of compromise within the dressing room as Celtic look to secure a play-off spot that would given them European football into the new year.

“We had a team out in the first leg [against Leipzig] that was full of legs and willing to cover every blade of grass,” he said.

“We wanted to create chances and try to nick a goal. We almost managed it on a couple of occasions but there were a few defensive lapses.

“We tried to stick to our game plan and it worked at times. We didn’t score, which we wanted to do, and we were punished at the other end.

“We are trying to compete in the competitions in Scotland but we want to do well in Europe. We always set out to try to win games, regardless of the competition.”

Gordon played a part in keeping the scoreline to 2-0 in that first game against Leipzig with Celtic’s ambitions of taking anything from the game undone in a short but chaotic first-half spell in which they conceded two cheap goals within a matter of minutes.

There was frustration on the goalkeeper’s part at just how easy Leipzig were gifted the goals, a recurring narrative for Celtic when it comes to European away games.

Filip Benkovic missed the tie against the Bundesliga side as a precaution over a small injury but he may well lend an air of solidity to Celtic’s backline on Thursday night as he lines up with Dedryck Boyata. The Parkhead side can currently boast the stingiest defence in the league – and have also scored more than anyone else – but getting it right at the back is key for Gordon.

“The funny thing was, I didn’t have too many saves over there and they didn’t create that many chances,” he said. “That was the most disappointing thing. It was tough to lose the game the way we did.

“The goals we conceded were quite difficult to take.

“It’s something that’s happening now and again to us. There was a bit of good fortune in that the ball fell right to their guys in the middle of the goal. They had free shots at it for both goals in Germany.

“It was bitterly disappointing we didn’t defend them.”

Meanwhile, Leipzig striker Yussuf Poulsen believes that there is little between the Bundesliga side and Celtic – but has warned that Leipzig are heading to Glasgow in search of a win on Thursday night.

“I wouldn’t say there is a gap between Celtic and ourselves,” said the 24-year-old Danish internationalist. “In fact, I’d say there is no real difference at all. In the first 20 minutes in Germany it was a very even game. Our second goal was really important. Celtic were still in the game but in Europe it is really difficult to come back from 2-0 down away from home.

“So, I would say the two teams are about the same level but, yes, we are now big favourites to finish second in the group. We believe we can win in Glasgow which would put us in a strong position. A draw would be good as well but we want the three points. We are a team who looks to win every game. It is going to be a different match, I do know that.”