Celtic should have come out of Warsaw with more than just a 1-1 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk. That is just the reality of the situation and there is no denying it. The Hoops created more than enough chances to win the game and probably score three or four goals. But just like against Real Madrid, they left their shooting boots at home once again.
Even the goal that Celtic scored on the night came off of a deflection from a Shakhtar Donetsk player. After the first two Champions League group stage games, no Hoops player has gotten his name on the scoresheet.
Hopefully that will change soon because the performances have been very promising and if they can just get efficient in front of goal, there is a solid chance that Celtic could get into the knockout rounds of the competition.
Aaron Mooy has revealed what Ange Postecoglou told the players after the frustrating draw against Shakhtar Donetsk. As reported by 67 Hail Hail, speaking to The Scottish Daily Mail [16/09 print edition, page 88], the Australian international said:
"“Yes, there was a bit (of frustration). It was a bit similar to Real Madrid in that we had good chances and we didn’t put them away and it was a bit disappointing that we didn’t get a win.“The manager was quite happy. He said the second half was good and that he was proud of us all for giving everything we had. We were just lacking that little bit of the finishing touch.“We are playing against the best teams in Europe, so every point is well earned, and I think we maybe could have earned a little bit more. But you take a point and move forward.”"
What Postecoglou told the Celtic stars after their frustrating draw against Shakhtar Donetsk
It is safe to say that there is indeed a lot to be happy about when it comes to the performances that Celtic have been putting in in the Champions League.
They are not only competing in Europe’s elite competition but they are taking it to their opponents and that is not something that most people would have expected to see from The Hoops.
Even against Real Madrid, they could have come with something out of the game if they just had taken their chances, and Celtic did have a few of them while Callum McGregor struck the post.
If only the Hoops can find their way to the back of the net in the upcoming games, things could start looking very different for them in Europe.