Liam Scales believes Celtic can take inspiration from their stunning win away to Feyenoord last season as they look to get back on track in the Europa League against Benfica.

The Parkhead side’s hopes of immediately bouncing back from a loss to LASK in the Champions League play-off ended in a 3-1 home defeat to Ferencvaros before the international break.

Seeking to get their first points on the board, Martin O’Neill’s side next take on the Portuguese in their own back yard on Thursday.

While acutely aware of how daunting the task will be against Marco Silva’s side, defender Scales feels the manner of Celtic’s stunning 3-1 win against the Dutch giants at the end of last year should show what’s possible if they click.

‘Listen, it doesn’t get much more difficult in the Europa League than this next one. Benfica away is a tough, tough game,’ said the Irishman.

‘I think we always have something to prove, but it has been disappointing so far in Europe this season so we need to really try and do better.

Celtic defender Liam Scales believes his side can get a result away to Benfica on Thursday

Yang Hyun-jun (right) and Luke McCowan celebrate a win in Feyenoord last November 

‘But we went to Feyenoord last season and showed that night what we can do so we can try and replicate how we played in that game.

‘When it comes to European fixtures that is a reference for us.

‘That was really, really good that night so that’s what we will be hoping to do.’

Scales detects a new sense of optimism among O’Neill’s squad having turned the page on a dismal week which included two defeats to Rangers and the loss to the Hungarians by comfortably seeing off Motherwell on Sunday.

Feeling like there’s been a reset by all concerned since the players and coaching staff met up again, Scales added: ‘We all got back in last week and had a meeting. We went through all our principles and how we want to be.

‘You could tell how excited he (O’Neill) was for this next spell of games.

‘We were looking at clips of where we’ve been at our best and that really excites him and the coaches.

‘We know where we can get to as well. It’s just a case of doing it now.’

The international break saw Mika Baur make his debut for Germany and Camilo Duran play for Colombia for the first time.

Scales feels it’s no coincidence that the pair were among Celtic’s better performers at Fir Park.

‘I feel players went away and enjoyed their couple of weeks and have come back with more confidence. I felt that was noticeable on Sunday,’ he explained.

Kasper Schmeichel celebrates Celtic’s win in the Netherlands against Feyenoord

‘We have young lads making their debuts for teams like Germany and Colombia which is incredible.

‘So, I think the break boosted the mood, and it was needed.

‘You know, it was a tough, tough week before the international break.

‘We’re just happy to be back with games coming thick and fast for the next couple of weeks.’

Celtic were comfortable winners at Fir Park courtesy of goals from Duran and Benjamin Nygren with the victory putting O’Neill’s side back on top of the table.

‘I feel we were good all over the pitch,’ Scales reflected.

‘It felt like we were back to what we want to be after a tough spell before the international window.

‘The clean sheet was pleasing and that comes from having most of the ball. They had less chances to attack.

‘We kept possession well before cutting through them. We created a lot of chances and could probably have scored a few more goals and made things a lot easier for ourselves.

‘But we were really happy with it.’

Scales insists suffering three successive losses in key matches was more wounding than the flak which flew the way of O’Neill’s players.

Camilo Duran scored early in Celtic’s 2-0 win over Motherwell on Sunday

‘I don’t think we’ve been hurt by the criticism,’ he stressed.

‘What’s hurt has been the results. That’s what hurts more than anything.

‘We know ourselves and don’t need to even hear the criticism to feel the disappointment and hurt. We already feel that.

‘But I felt the international window gave us a chance to refresh and the kids have come back with more confidence.

‘We saw that on Sunday, it looked good and felt good. And hopefully we can continue that.’

While Jota isn’t part of O’Neill’s European squad, the sight of the Portuguese coming off the bench at Motherwell after 18 months out gave all concerned a major shot in the arm.

‘It’s great,’ said Scales. ‘He’s obviously shown how good he is over the two spells here. We have missed him for a long time.

‘Even just the excitement he brings when he gets on the ball is brilliant.

‘So it’s great to see him back.

‘He’s had to work really hard to get back and it’s probably taken longer than he’d have hoped.

‘But it’s amazing to see him back and hopefully he kicks on now.’