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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Alan Galindo

Celtic 1 Shakhtar 1 as bold Ange Postecoglou decision fails to save Euro hopes - 3 things we learned

Celtic are officially OUT of European competition after drawing with Shakhtar Donetsk at Parkhead.

The Hoops went into their final Champions League home game knowing that despite already being eliminated from Europe's premier competition, they stood a chance of taking the battle for Europa League football to the final matchday. However, it wasn't to be for the Scottish champions who will now finish fourth after Mykhaylo Mudryk's stunner for the visitors.

Giorgos Giakoumakis had Glasgow's east end rocking when he fired in the opener but Ange Postecoglou's men couldn't find that big second goal with the match ending in a score draw. Here's three things we learned as Celtic's European journey officially comes to an end next week after their trip to face holders Real Madrid at the Bernabéu.

Giorgos Giakoumakis celebrates Celtic's goal against Shakhtar Donetsk (REUTERS)

READ MORE: Ange Postecoglou's detailed insight to Celtic job offer as he opens up on Dermot Desmond talks

Good two go

Ange Postecoglou made the pre-match call of starting both Giorgos Giakoumakis and Kyogo Furuhashi.

The Japan international played the No10 role in behind the Greek hitman as the Hoops went from broke in a bid to keep European football hopes alive and kicking going into the final matchday against Real Madrid.

The home side made a slow start on the night with neither getting much of a sniff in an attacking capacity in the opening 30 minutes but when the big chance dropped to Giakoumakis, he did NOT disappoint as he fired low into the net after Liel Abada's shot was blocked.

He also showed his strength in the build-up, using his body well on more than one occasion to draw fouls and keep the ball moving. It was a different story for Kyogo who fluffed his big chance on the hour before being replaced on 65 minutes.

The result didn't go the way the Hoops faithful wanted but it might be the start of seeing the duo more often in the same team.

Eu are out

Celtic are officially out of European competition this season.

The Hoops had to win at Parkhead to stand any hope of dropping into the Europa League.

However, a 1-1 draw at home to Shakhtar Donetsk has resigned the Hoops to fourth spot in the group and a fifth game without a win in the Champions League with two draws and three defeats.

They will be determined to come back stronger next season but this time around, European football comes to an end next midweek for the Scottish champions.

Worst miss ever?

Danylo Sikan may have been guilty of the worst sitter in the history of the Champions League.

With the score level and on the counter-attack the dangerous and highly-rated Mykhaylo Mudryk skipped past Cameron Carter-Vickers and ran through on goal on the advancing Joe Hart. He passed the ball across to team-mate Sikan who only had to pass the ball into an empty net.

However, what looked a formality was anything but and the forward made an absolute meal of the opportunity.

One he will never want to see ever again.

READ NEXT:

- Ange Postecoglou's powerful Celtic title speech surfaces as Josip Juranovic quip lands death stare

- Celtic player ratings v Hearts as Giakoumakis and Jenz have contrasting afternoon during VAR chaos

- Ange Postecoglou delivers Celtic penalty stat and sends VAR warning to Premiership managers

- Celtic and Rangers hit with UEFA fines after Champions League fan incidents

- Celtic triumph over Hearts as Forrest continues comeback arc in classic - three things we learned

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