Celtic assistant manager Mark Venus has urged his players to atone for their European misery by reaching the last four of the Co-operative Insurance Cup.

Celtic have lost five of their seven matches in Europe this season to leave them adrift at the bottom of their Europa League section following their Champions League exit at the hands of Arsenal.

The Hoops went back to the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with Sunday's 2-1 win at Hamilton but manager Tony Mowbray is in need of a cup victory when Hearts visit Parkhead in the quarter-finals on Wednesday night.

"It's been a difficult European season," Venus said.

"We had some difficult draws in the Champions League. Arsenal could probably go on and win it and never get beaten. So I've got no problem with that loss realistically.

"The Europa League has been difficult, we haven't had the best results.

"Yet I think some of our performances have maybe deserved more points.

"It's a learning process, four months in and that's where we are.

"This cup is another route to win something and that's what everyone at the football club is trying to do."

However, Venus knows the competition has a history of throwing up shocks.

"This cup can produce a team from outside the Old Firm who can win it," the former Wolves full-back said.

"Hibs won it, Livingston won it. I think any cup with the penalties situation gives a team a chance to progress."

Hearts have had a disappointing start to the SPL season but they came within seconds of taking a point at Celtic Park.

Venus said: "They finished third in the league last year - they're a good team, they've got some good players.

"They haven't had a great start to the season but on any given day they can cause problems for any team in the league.

"I think it's the second toughest draw we could have got."

Hearts boss Csaba Laszlo spoke at length on Tuesday about his fears over the club's stalling progress but goalkeeper Janos Balogh insists those frustrations have not spilled over into the dressing room.

An animated Laszlo urged the Jambos' hierarchy to help him arrest the slide that followed the sale of a number of key players this year.

While insisting it was not all about money, Laszlo suggested the club must recruit experienced players in the January transfer window if they are to avoid going backwards this season.

Hearts are languishing in ninth but Balogh revealed Laszlo was keeping his emotions in check during a disappointing run of results.

"He is not more angry; he and the team just try to focus on the next game all the time," said Balogh, who agreed with his manager's assessment that fresh blood may be needed at Tynecastle.

"Every team needs experienced players, not just Hearts."

Balogh knows Hearts must improve on their performance in Saturday's goalless SPL draw with Falkirk if they are to upset Celtic tonight.

But he is adamant their workrate cannot be questioned.

He said: "On Saturday, we didn't play well but we tried to do well.

"That was not good enough on Saturday but maybe this time this will be enough."