Celtic keeper Fraser Forster insists he can still secure an England World Cup slot even after the Hoops’ European exit.
The Scottish giants crashed out of the Champions League after Tuesday night’s 3-0 defeat to AC Milan.
The Rossoneri cruised to victory, leaving Neil Lennon’s side unable to claim a Europa League place and guaranteed to finish bottom of Group H after claiming just three points from five games.
But with just the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup to focus on, Forster is adamant he can still persuade Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson to take him to Brazil next summer on domestic form alone.
Asked if he was worried about his World Cup prospects, the 6ft 7in stopper who won his first cap earlier this month in the 2-0 defeat to Chile at Wembley said: “I’ve not really thought about it.
“I’m just taking each game as it comes. I enjoyed being in the England squad and winning my first cap. But there is plenty of time before I need to start worrying about the World Cup it’s seven or eight months away.
“Can my form up here in Scotland win me a place for Brazil? I don’t see why not. If I show what I can do in the SPL then there’s no reason why it can’t.”
Celtic were responsible for their own downfall against Milan as their usually solid defence crumbled.
Kaka, Cristian Zapata and Mario Balotelli were all handed time and space to grab the goals which killed off their last 16 hopes.
But Forster claims even reaching the group stages was an achievement for the Scottish champions.
“We were playing against a top quality team with fantastic individuals,” said the 25-year-old as he reflected on the Milan defeat.
“Those moments of quality that they had took the game away from us. They scored goals at important times. That’s the way it goes in the Champions League.
“When we look back at the game, we had chances but it just wasn’t to be.
“It’s disappointing to be out of Europe altogether. At worst, we hoped to land a Europa League slot. But I still think we have proven a lot of people wrong by getting to this stage. The lads can be really proud of what we have done.”
Meanwhile Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell demanded supporters leave their political views at home after Uefa began disciplinary action against the club over an “illicit banner”.
Celtic face a fine over a fans’ display that featured banners of Scottish historical figure William Wallace and IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands, along with a set of lyrics, during their defeat by Milan.
The club vowed to ban any supporter involved in a political display and insisted they were not welcome at Celtic Park.