NOBODY needs to remind Greg Taylor just how easily shocks can happen at this stage of European competition ahead of Celtic’s one-off Champions League qualifier against KR Reykjavik this evening. After all, it is little over a year since the full-back was on the end of an almighty one.

Leading from the first leg away from home, Taylor and his then Kilmarnock teammates somehow conspired to come a cropper to Welsh underdogs Connah’s Quay at Rugby Park.

Taylor remembers the disappointment and the embarrassment of that evening all too well, and he is using it to serve as a cautionary tale ahead of tonight’s meeting with the Icelandic champions.

“It shows you exactly what can happen,” Taylor said. “That was a disappointing night for myself and Kilmarnock to get knocked out.

“We thought we’d done the hard part down there but we came back to Rugby Park and out didn’t quite work out.

“We didn’t perform as well as we could have. On the night, it wasn’t what we wanted. So, it’s now on us and hopefully we’ll put on a performance.

“I wouldn't say [we sensed disaster]. We created a lot of chances, certainly in the first half. We didn’t take them. It was 0-0 at half time and we thought we could still go and qualify but it wasn't to be.”

Celtic, of course, will not even have the luxury of a second-leg to make amends should things not go according to the script this evening. But their long unbeaten record in domestic knock-out ties is evidence that their players can handle such pressure well enough.

“There’s all the more onus on us as there’s only the one leg,” he acknowledged. “We know we need to get it right on the night and that’s what we’ll be aiming to do.

“The attitude within our changing room is spot on and I’m sure our attitude for this game will be right at it. So, it won’t be down to that. We’re aiming just to put in a performance and get the win.

“We can’t wait to for the game. It’s a good opportunity ad a massive game for us. Hopefully we’ll go and get to the next stage.

“You can’t take any game in Europe for granted and we don’t. think that’s a big thing motivation here – we look at every game as the most important one so Tuesday night is for us. We can’t afford any slip ups so hopefully there won’t be any.

“The boys have good experience of playing one-legged affairs in the domestic cups. They have a good record in them so long may that continue.”

Given what is at stake for Celtic tonight, both reputationally and financially, the last thing they would have wanted was to sit out the last week of action following the Boli Bolingoli affair. But Taylor has moved to allay any fears of supporters who may be concerned by their lack of match sharpness.

“The build-up hasn’t been disruptive,” he said. “We’ve had our full focus on this game and have had a good week’s training.

“The boys looked at it and everyone is just looking forward to the game now. I think they will be hard to beat but will have a counter-attacking threat.

“The onus is on us and we’ve got to look to put our strengths and attributes onto them. Hopefully, that will be enough to see us through.”