Celtic's slim hopes of escaping into the Europa League were killed off by Shakhtar Donetsk at Parkhead.
Ange Postecoglou ’s side could only muster a 1-1 draw against the Ukrainians, which left them winless at the bottom of Champions League Group F. Giorgos Giakoumakis ’ first half strike wasn’t enough to keep them in the hunt for third place and European football after the new year. Instead, Mykhaylo Mudryk’s stunning goal earned Shakhtar a point, despite the Hoops’ best efforts. Giakoumakis, Matt O’Riley and Kyogo Furuhashi were all denied by keeper Anatoliy Trubin.
But the visitors should also have grabbed a second when sub Danylo Sikan missed an open-goal sitter in the second half. Celtic started the match strongly, pinning Shakhtar back into their own half. But it was 34 minutes before they broke the deadlock. Sead Haksabanovic crossed from the left and when Liel Abada’s attempted shot fell into the path of Giakoumakis, the Greek buried it from close range.
The big striker almost made it 2-0 with a 25-yard piledriver that was clawed round the post by Trubin. At the other end, Mudryk gave Celtic a warning when he went through on goal only to be thwarted by Joe Hart.
Postecoglou’s side weren’t as effective after the break but still had chances to win it. Kyogo should have done better but produced a powder puff finish into Trubin’s arms.
And they paid the price when Mudryk made it 1-1. The £30 million rated winger raced clear on the counter attack, cut inside Josip Juranovic and hit a blistering drive beyond Hart into the top corner.
It was anyone’s game after that. Sikan’s miss had to be seen to be believed after another incredible Mudryk run. Then O’Riley tested Trubin from the edge of the box but the keeper parried it wide.
Celtic produced yet another encouraging Champions League display but still couldn’t grab their first victory of the campaign. And it now means in their last match, away to Real Madrid in the Bernabeu, they’ll be playing for nothing more than pride.
5 talking points
Attack Attack Attack
There was a debate before kick-off as to whether Kyogo Furuhashi or Giorgos Giakoumakis would start up front for Celtic. Few could have predicted that gaffer Ange Postecoglou would throw BOTH of them in against Shakhtar.
But after going all-out attack failed to yield victories in their first four Champions League games - the Aussie boss just decided to try and attack even more! Postecoglou stuck to his principles by deploying a system that was 4-2-3-1 when Celtic were defending but at times was like a 2-4-4 when they pinned the Ukrainians into their own half.
With Liel Abada and Sead Haksabanovic on the flanks, Kyogo operated just off Giakoumakis up front. That left just Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate as sitting midfielders - but even they were trying to push on when the opportunity arose. And in a first half they dominated, they eventually got their rewards with Giakoumakis’ opener.
Scouts Honour
The list of scouts turning up at Parkhead last night from other clubs would have been endless on a big Champions League night. Manchester United and Spurs were certainly two of the English Premier League outfits who were represented at the clash with Shakhtar.
And you have to assume they’d have been looking at Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley. In Postecoglou’s ultra-attacking system, he had a power of work to get through in the middle of the park alongside Reo Hatate.
But O’Riley must have covered every blade of grass in a pulsating 90 minutes. The Danish U21 star, who was plucked from MK Dons, has adapted well into his new anchor role in place of skipper Callum McGregor.
And with his cultured left foot, he gives Celtic real balance in their engine room. He was relentless in everything he did last night, trying to take the game by the scruff of the neck - McGregor style - in a bid to claim three points.
O’Riley looks at home on the Champions League stage. Celtic won’t want to lose him. But with his age, profile and top level performances, it might be difficult to hang on to him.
GG-Force
What a signing Giorgos Giakoumakis is proving to be for Postecoglou and Celtic. For just over £2 million, the Greek striker was brought in from lowly Dutch side VVV Venlo last summer.
He’d been the Eredivisie’s top scorer but there were huge question marks over whether he could do the business at a bigger club. After being hampered by injury in his first Hoops campaign, the 27-year-old is certainly proving his worth this term.
And on the biggest stage in Europe, he led the line brilliantly for Celtic. Giakoumakis offers them something different to the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda with his physicality and power up front.
But he can also play and he showed that against Shakhtar. He worked his socks off hassling defenders and when he got the ball, his hold-up play was excellent. That’s why Giakoumakis deserved to grab his first-ever European goal - and 25th for Celtic - with the strike that broke the deadlock. Aside from all his other attributes, it was an example of the most important one of all for any striker - killer instinct in the box to put chances away.
Stick in the Mud
Even the Champions League clubs outside of Europe’s elite normally have a superstar they can rely on for a moment of brilliance. That’s why it’s the best competition on the planet.
And for Shakhtar Donetsk that man is undoubtedly Mykhaylo Mudryk who hurt Celtic again. The Ukrainian winger is one of the continent’s most prodigious talents and already a talisman for his country.
Last summer, Everton were weighing up a £30 million bid for Mudryk and it’s easy to see why. In the reverse fixture in Poland earlier in Group F, the 21-year-old produced a stunning finish to equalise and earn his side a point.
And Mudryk was at it again with another incredible strike. When the visitors pounced on the counter-attack, he still had plenty of work to do. Josip Juranovic should probably have brought him down, taken a yellow card for the team and allowed Hoops shirts to get back. But the Croat hesitated and that was all the invitation Mudryk needed to cut inside and unleash an unstoppable shot past Joe Hart.
He produced a similar run later on, skipping away from Cameron Carter-Vickers on the break and teeing up Danylo Sikan for a tap-in - but the sub missed an open goal With this kind of ability, it’s impossible to think Mudryk won’t be plying his trade in one of Europe’s top leagues this time next season.
Mad for it
If you’re going to have a Champions League dead rubber, you might as well have it at the Bernabeu in Madrid - one of Europe’s footballing theatres.
Celtic might not have anything left to play for in Spain next week after the draw with Shakhtar. But gaffer Postecoglou will be hoping his side can at least hold their own against the tournament holders in their own backyard.
For 60 minutes at Celtic Park, they matched Carlo Ancelotti’s side. It might be a different story in Madrid but Postecoglou will approach the game with the same vigour and intent as he always does.
It’s been a strange Champions League campaign for Celtic. Despite sitting bottom of the group, they’ve earned plenty of plaudits for the way they’ve played.
And on performances alone, they’ve probably deserved more. That’s why the manager will be desperate to finish it off with another credible performance - at one of the toughest stadiums in the world to play at.
If they can hold their own against Madrid and not be overawed it will give the players more belief that they belong in the Champions League. And most importantly, it would give them something to build on for next season. Because having had a taste of CL group stage football, Postecoglou and his squad will be desperate for more - despite this year’s results.
