Ronny Deila has vowed Celtic will bounce back after they exited the Europa League this evening by suffering a 2-1 home defeat to Ajax.

Celtic needed only three minutes to take the lead against Ajax, stunning the visitors when Callum McGregor collected the ball, drove towards the Dutch side's goal, cut inside and unleashed a pinpoint shot which flew into the bottom corner of the net.




But Ajax drew level though in the 22nd minute when Arkadiusz Milik found the back of the net.

Viktor Fischer saw his shot saved by Craig Gordon, but was able to help the ball on to Milik, who then hooked it into the back of the net from close range.
 


As the clock ticked down it was end to end stuff as both sides knew only a win would do to keep their Europa League hopes alive.

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And as Celtic threw caution to the wind, Ajax broke and Vaclav Cerny beat Gordon at the near post in the 88th minute, sealing a 2-1 win for the visitors.

Celtic were out, but Deila has told the club's fans that the Bhoys will bounce back and come back stronger next year.

He told his post-match press conference: "I’m very disappointed that we’re not through, but we can only look forward.

"We will bounce back. I’ve done it before and I will do it here too.

"The message to all the fans is that we’ll be ready next year and that's the task I have."

The Norwegian boss accepts Celtic did not do as well as last year in the Europa League, but insists his side had a tougher group to reckon with.

"The results are not the same as last year, but the group is better. We deserved more this year than last year."