Celtic’s European hopes are over after they could only manage a 1-1 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk. Giorgos Giakoumakis put them ahead on the night with a well taken goal but Mykhaylo Mudryk would equalise with a ferocious strike from outside the box. And ultimately, despite no lack of trying, the Hoops could not find a second on the night.
The result means that Celtic are guaranteed to finish bottom of their group, even if they did beat Real Madrid away at the Santiago Bernabeu. So, their European campaign is over, with no chance left of making it to the Europa League.
It was a frustrating game to watch on following Mudryk’s equaliser. Celtic had the lion’s share of the ball but their delivery on the night was terrible.
Whether it be from corners, free-kicks or just crosses, the majority of the time it either fail to get past the first man or reached the goalkeeper. Yet, the Bhoys continued to play that route over and over again, even though it was not working. As a result, they made it easier for Shakhtar to hold onto the draw.
Celtic crash out of Europe as delivery lets them down vs Shakhtar
Postecoglou surely could not have been pleased with his side’s delivery on the night. That does not mean that there were not chances for them to win it though.
The best one fell at the feet of Kyogo, who was one on one with the goalkeeper, but the Japanese star has been out of form for a while and his effort was too tame to beat the man with the gloves and straight at him as well.
Perhaps the only bright light on the night was Giakoumakis, who not only got himself a Champions League goal but put himself about all night as well and put in a very solid performance, which must be commended. If the delivery had been better on the night, maybe he could have won it for the Hoops.