The focus may have been on Celtic ’s European exit and Danylo Sikan’s sitter, but not everyone was preoccupied with that after theory 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk.
Giorgos Giakoumakis put the Hoops on course for their first Champions League win of the campaign when he slammed home from close range in the first half. However, a moment of magic from Mykhaylo Mudryk after the break deservedly drew the visitors level after he showed why Shakhtar value him at €60million with a fine individual goal.
As has become a regular feature at this level, Celtic spurned chances of their own to win and keep their hopes of dropping into the Europa League alive. They weren’t taken however, which means its back to the Premiership until next August after they round off Group F with a trip to the Bernabeu to face holders Real Madrid. As dead rubbers go, it’s not a bad setting.
Shakhtar however, still have the chance of qualifying for the last 16. They need to beat RB Leipzig in their final match to claim second spot in the group. Considering they’ve had to play their ‘home’ matches in Poland, it would be some story if the Miners make it through. Record Sport looks at how media from around the world reacted to last night’s match.
Fakti i Kommentarii (Ukraine)
The Russian language newspaper understandably focused on Mudryk’s “masterpiece” goal that kept Shakhtar’s last 16 hopes alive. The next great hope of Ukrainian football once again showed his lightning pace, but proved he has an end product to match, doing everything “perfectly” according to the outlet.
“With the beginning of the second half, Shakhtar went forward even more actively. And if Zubkov missed just a little bit to aim into the empty corner from the edge of the goalkeeper's area, blocking Traore's cross, then Mudryk did everything perfectly, receiving a pass from Sikan, who had just come on as a substitute, in the center of the field, passing to the penalty area and scoring accurately under the crossbar.”
Sportschau (Germany)
“We never stop” is the Celtic mantra. Ange Postecoglou wants his players to keep running until the whistle blows, relentless pressing and attacking their opponents.
It works to a tee domestically. In Europe, they’ve found they can be picked off by teams several levels above what they are used to facing.
They haven’t looked out of place, but also haven't looked like qualifying and will finish bottom of the group. For all the chances they've created, two points and three goals are all they have to show for it before finishing the campaign at the Bernabeu.
As German sports paper Sportschau points out, all that running is in vain if there’s no ruthlessness at the end of it. Sikan didn't escape either after his “insane” miss. “ They said: “Celtic Glasgow parted ways with Shakhtar Donetsk with a 1-1 draw and remained without a win in their eighth CL home game in a row.
“Giorgios Giakoumakis gave the Scots a deserved lead after a committed performance before the break (34th). After the change of sides, however, the guests put in a few dangerous pinpricks, which Mykhaylo Mudryk crowned with an individual performance (58th). Ange Postecoglou's team then ran in vain and could no longer prevent the end at international level.
“Instead, Danylo Sikan missed Ukraine's possible winner with an insane miss. Donetsk will travel to Leipzig next week to conclude the Champions League group stage.
The Mirror (England)
Unsurprisingly, Mudryk’s goal and Sikan’s miss took the attention of the Mirror. The winger’s goal really was tremendous but they've perhaps done Sikan a favour by somewhat glossing over his contribution.
They reported: ”Shakhtar Donetsk – who play Leipzig on the final day in Poland – could still quality ahead of the German side after they secured a 1-1 draw in Glasgow. Mykhailo Mudryk scored a tremendous equaliser for the Ukrainian team after Giorgos Giakoumakis gave Celtic the lead, while Danylo Sikan missed an incredible chance to win the game late on as his effort into an open goal was mis controlled and trickled agonisingly wide.”
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