As learning curves go, Scott Bain might as well have donned his hiking boots given the steepness of the journey he went on during Celtic’s defeat to Valencia on Thursday night.

The Celtic goalkeeper has taken the gloves from Craig Gordon since the turn of the year but if there was a suspicion that he might well have preferred to have stuck to a more comfortable vantage point on the bench, he was quick to dismiss the notion.

The 27-year-old goalkeeper will instead look to add to his education but part of that learning might include some positive thinking as Bain attempted to put a decent gloss on what was a harrowing night for Celtic.

Valencia’s progress to the last 16 of the Europa League already looks like a formality. Still, ahead of the return leg next Thursday night Bain has urged the Parkhead side to find some belief that they can claim the first goal in the Mestalla and at least ask questions of Valencia that they couldn’t on their own turf.

There was little compelling evidence to suggest that Celtic are capable of finding the spark to trouble their Spanish counterparts. Of course, taking the first goal might ask questions of Valencia but in truth it seems like a stretch to envisage that a Celtic team who were flustered and under pressure for most of the game can steady themselves to offer a problem for Valencia.

“Valencia had great quality,” said Bain. “You see the ball that was played in for the second goal and they it on the pitch at all times. It was a hard one to take as I felt we could have taken something out if it, but we still go into the second leg confident.

“We’ve seen them now and I don’t think there is anything to fear. We just need to take care of the ball more and make our passing a lot slicker in the final third to create chances. You see them. They play in the Spanish league which is very technical and everyone is very comfortable on the ball.

“They were good on it, but we have quality here and can hurt them in the next leg. If we can go over there and get the first goal, the tie is not over. IIf we did get it, we’d have every chance to go on and win the tie. All is not lost yet.

“We know what we are facing now and we know that it’s a tough task we face, but we’re capable of doing it.”

If t was a European debut that was memorable for the wrong reasons Bain has nevertheless maintained that the exposure to Valencia will enhance his overall game.

“It’s obviously not great when you don’t get the result, but it was an experience which will help me in the future,” said the 27-year-old. “I will be able to grow from it and I hope to learn from it.

“The pace of the game, for example. It is a lot quicker, so when I get the ball, it’s about getting it out quickly and making the right decisions when I get the ball. We can be slightly better in terms of getting into positions and wanting the ball a bit more.

“We always try and play, but my learning is also about situations when if we can’t get into position quickly enough, to go a bit longer on it. That’s something I’ll take from the game on Thursday night.”

There is no secret in Brendan Rodgers’ desire to have Celtic play the ball out from the back but there were times during Thursday night’s game when that brought pressure under the Parkhead backline almost immediately.

For Bain, though, the club can improve their game without compromising on the style and philosophy they wish to play.

“Does it means sacrificing principles? No. We always have permission to go slightly longer on it if it’s on, but I thought we played out from the back well and we just got a bit sloppy at the end of the first-half and we took it,” he explained.

“There are other things to learn from as well, like the atmosphere and how to handle the occasion. We were just a little sloppy in the first-half with our passing.

“Valencia are a really good side, they are well organised and they waited for us to make mistakes. They pounced when we did. We actually kept the ball really well in the first 20 minutes and moved it well, but on that stage, you get punished.

“As I said, they were waiting for a mistake and they are really good side who play their formation really well. It’s something we will learn from for the next game.”

Celtic need to rouse themselves now for Sunday’s trip to Rugby Park. The Parkhead side lost to Kilmarnock earlier in the season in Ayrshire but in fairness to Rodgers’, Celtic tend to find domestic football a comfort after their European exertions.

“We have shown before that we always bounce back from hard moments and games in Europe,” said Bain. “We’ve shown it all this season and through all of the time that the manager has been at the club.

“It’s a good opportunity for us at Rugby Park to do that. Kilmarnock are a good side and they make it difficult for you down there. They sit in and they are well-organised, so it’ll be down to us to break them down and get the goals. But we’ll go there looking to bounce back as quickly as possible. We’ve been playing really well in the league of late and we have to look to try and continue that.”