3-0 down in Europe? That's no problem

NEIL LENNON wants to bring the thunder back to Celtic Park.

Now Beram Kayal wants lightning to strike twice.

The midfielder - Lennon's seventh summer signing - watched the devastating 3-0 Champions League defeat against Braga.

But Israel ace Kayal insists all is NOT lost.

He helped Maccabi Haifa overturn a 3-0 deficit to win 4-3 in last season's Champions League qualifiers.

And the 22-year-old reckons Celts can repeat that crazy comeback at Parkhead on Wednesday night.

Kayal said: "Maccabi Haifa came from three goals down to win 4-3.

"We were playing Aktobe, the champions of Kazakhstan, in the third qualifying round.

"We had drawn the first leg, but at home we suddenly fell 3-0 down in the first half.

"Everyone was crying in the stadium. It was terrible. But we somehow scored four, won the tie and eventually reached the group stage.

"If that can happen then anything is possible for Celtic in this tie.

"When you play at home with the crowd behind you, the sky is the limit."

Celts crumbled in Portugal as Champions League rookies Braga exposed old flaws.

Kayal saw the match on the internet just hours before penning his four-year deal.

But he claims his new team-mates got a raw deal on a blistering hot night in the Estadio AXA.

He said: "I watched the game on Wednesday night and Celtic didn't deserve to lose 3-0. The scoreline was a lie as the game wasn't so one-sided.

"I hope and believe, with the supporters in the stadium and on our own pitch, that it's still possible for Celtic to qualify next week."

Kayal has been signed too late to play in the return. He'll also miss this weekend's Emirates Cup clashes with Lyon and Arsenal as he returns to Israel to have his passport validated to work outside his homeland.

But he's determined to make an instant impact on dugout rookie Lennon and evoke fond memories of the gaffer in his Hoops playing days.

He said: "I knew about the coach before I signed for Celtic. He played in the same position as me and was a big, hard player and a fighter.

"He was a player who gave everything to the fans and I am very similar.

"It'll help me that the coach played in the same position as me. It's a big privilege to work with him.

"He was such a big international player who won lots of trophies, played in the Premier League and did it with a big team here at Celtic.

"It's something very, very good for me, an extra boost.

"To compare me with Neil Lennon now would not be right. I am only 22 and I have done nothing in my career outside Israel.

"I have been a big player over there, but I need to prove myself here.

"Maybe in a year or two I can be as popular at Parkhead as the coach was when he was a player.

"I will give everything to make that happen."

The £1.2million starlet could make his debut in a home friendly against Blackburn Rovers on August 8.

He'll fight fellow new Bhoys Efrain Juarez and Joe Ledley for midfield places.

And he reckons he has the ideal mindset to excel in the SPL and Europe.

Kayal said: "I have won two championships with Maccabi and I know at a club like Celtic you should not talk about second place.

"Second place is just like last place for Celtic.

"I came from a club which lost only four games when they last won the title.

"It's the same here and I know all about the pressure of having to win the league.

"I know about the pressure of having to win every week.

"Yes, Celtic is bigger than Maccabi Haifa, but I have the right mentality to play here."

Kayal follows Juarez, Ledley, Cha Du-Ri, Charlie Mulgrew, Daryl Murphy and Gary Hooper to Celts this summer.

Lennon is still chasing three more new faces as he tries to win back the SPL title from rivals Rangers.

And 13 times capped Kayal can't wait to get started after his shock switch to Scotland.

He said: "It's a dream come true for me to sign for Celtic.

"I've hardly been able to sleep for the past three nights thinking about it. I'm very excited to be starting this new phase of my career here in Glasgow.

"The manager has told me all about his plans and his expectations.

"A lot of changes have been made to the team and it will take time for things to come together.

"I have a lot of belief in myself and I want to contribute, to help the team improve on the park.

"My goal is to play every week. I certainly did not come to Celtic to play only on the training field.

"It all depends on me. I have to prove myself quickly, but I have no concerns at all.

"I'm coming to a huge club and every player dreams of reaching this level."