Celtic have a huge problem in the Champions League

Celtic’s hopes of reaching the Champions League knockout phases were handed a hammer blow as they could only manage a 1-1 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk in Warsaw. A draw in an away game in Europe’s elite competition would be seen as a positive on any other day but on this occasion, the Hoops had had enough chances to score at least three or four goals and this result feels more like two points dropped than one gained.

Celtic were left ruing their missed chances in the game against Real Madrid as well, but at least on that occasion, the European champions showed their quality in the second half and at the end of the game, were most probably deserved winners.

There is no such excuse in this game. Celtic should have won. They were the better team on the night by miles. And yet they come out of this game with a draw, because their finishing was terrible.

Of course, Daizen Maeda’s late miss will grab the attention of the fans because of its timing but there were several other players who should have put the game to bed much earlier.

If Celtic do not reach the knockout phases, the biggest reason will be because they are not clinical in front of goal

One has to wonder what the reason is for Celtic struggling so badly to find the back of the net in the Champions League. Even the one that they scored against Shakhtar Donetsk was an own goal.

Are they struggling to cope with the magnitude of the Champions League? Or is it just a couple of off days?

We know that this side can score goals. They almost do for fun in the Premiership. But in the Champions League, they have left a lot to be desired.

And if they are to have any chance of making it to the knockout phase, they will now need two positive results against RB Leipzig. A very difficult task for Ange Postecoglou and his side.