Celtic were left to rue a host of missed chances as Ange Postecoglou’s side drew 1-1 with Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League group stage in Warsaw.
Artem Bondarenko’s own goal gave Celtic an early lead in Shakhtar’s temporary home in the Polish capital, but Mykhailo Mudryk equalised with a thumping finish after running in behind the visitors’ defence.
The Scottish champions forced Shakhtar goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin into a series of saves and spurned late chances as they had to settle for a point, their first in the competition since their last appearance in 2017-18.
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“Obviously we need that second goal and we had good chances to get it, but from my perspective I can’t ask any more of them,” said Postecoglou, who had a defiant message for his players.
“We’ll get our rewards if we keep playing that kind of football and showing that kind of commitment.”
“More significant than the point was the performance,” he added.
That message was shared by captain Callum McGregor.
“We spoke about it as a group today that we want to arrive and the only way to do that is to get points in the group,” McGregor said,” per The Herald Scotland.
“A point is a good result when you come here away. Obviously the home fixtures will always be important but getting something on the board tonight was really vital too and another stage for us to go a little bit more.
“That tonight will give us another bit to believe we can get something in the group.”
After paying the price for not capitalising on a strong start in last week’s 3-0 loss to Real Madrid, Celtic threatened with just a minute gone in Warsaw, where Shakhtar are playing their European home games due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Kyogo Furuhashi found his route to goal blocked by Trubin, but the Hoops soon made the breakthrough as Sead Haksabanovic slid the ball through for Reo Hatate, whose attempt deflected off Bondarenko and trickled into the net.
Celtic nearly made it 2-0 when Moritz Jenz’s shot was kept out by Trubin’s leg. It proved a key stop as Shakhtar quickly levelled.
Georgiy Sudakov threaded a pass through the Celtic backline, with Mudryk racing on to it before lashing an unerring finish past Joe Hart.
Hart denied Shakhtar a second by turning behind a curling strike from former Celtic forward Marian Shved, while Trubin shovelled away a dipping shot by Portuguese winger Jota to start the second half.
Matt O’Riley’s effort from range was tipped to safety as Celtic continued to create opportunities, with substitutes Giorgos Giakoumakis and Daizen Maeda both going agonisingly close late on.
“You definitely have to earn everything at this level,” added Postecoglou.
“Every point and every win will take maximum effort from us and for us to be at our best. The players really embraced the fact we will have to be at our best all the time for everything we get.
“At this level I think that is encouraging. It’s encouraging for me and it’s encouraging for the players.”
