John Hartson tells Celtic they're playing for third in Champions League amid Achilles heel trouble and 'monster' budgets

John Hartson says Celtic are realistically playing for third in the Champions League after two sore defeats.

Brendan Rodgers' side have lost both of their opening Group E games in difficult circumstances, losing 2-0 with nine men away at Feyenoord before a 95th minute Pedro header sealed a 2-1 win for Lazio at Parkhead midweek. Goalie Joe Hart watched goals go past him in Rotterdam and again set-piece problems arose in Group E's matchday 2, with a corner into the box allowing Matias Vecino to restore parity after Kyogo's opener.

Former striker Hartson says ahead of two matches with Atletico Madrid, qualifying for the last 16 is a notion striding into the distance with those set-pieces proving an issue. He told Go Radio: "Realistically we are playing for third place now. You can't afford to lose your first two games and third place on the back of losing the first two games would be a huge success now.

"It would be bouncing back. So, tough games, I think Atletico Madrid are the best team in the group. I think the home game will be similar to the Lazio game. I think we'll have chances, I think we'll have the ball, the crowd will push us on.

"We have got to try and get something, preferably a win. I thought we did everything the other night, I am not too sure in Feyenoord. Stop conceding set-pieces, first and foremost, defend strongly. The other night we conceded another set-piece having gone in front.

"I know we don't have a lot of height in the team. Luis Alberto, brilliant delivery into the box, it's the second ball. It's not initially the first one but reacting to the second one so we have to defend properly, that goes without saying.

"I think sometimes when you go 1-0 up, you have to go for the jugular, you've got