Shakhtar Director Makes Celtic Comment After Champions League Draw

Shakhtar Donetsk sporting director Darijo Srna, admitted he hasn’t watched Celtic and knows little about this iteration of the Hoops at the moment.

Shakhtar were drawn in Celtic’s group alongside RB Leipzig and the European Champions Real Madrid in what will be an interesting group.

Srna was defiant and told the official club website Shakhtar will fight to the very end in this group:

“There are no easy groups in the Champions League. We will fight to the last. Real Madrid is, of course, Real Madrid. We already played with Celtic 18 and 15 years ago. Leipzig are a good team. So let’s put it this way: it could have been worse, it could have been better.

“We have a young team, a new coach. The most important thing is to enjoy the games that are waiting for us. Unfortunately, there will not be full stands in Ukraine, but I am sure there will be in Warsaw. Many of our fans, Ukrainians, will come – they deserve, like all of Ukraine, that we demonstrate good, bright football, so that they get pleasure from our game.

“Leipzig, like us, did not start too well: they have two points in three games. Celtic I haven’t watched, but Real Madrid is Real Madrid. Let’s analyse.”

Celtic have been playing in the Europa League for the last five years and may have flew under the radar for a lot of clubs in Europe and playing in the Scottish league means we’re tucked away.

Celtic players and many Celtic fans got their wish when they were drawn against Real Madrid on Thursday evening. The Hoops are under no illusion how difficult a prospect playing the Spanish giants will be, but as glamour ties go, it will be special.

Shakhtar will be playing their home games in Poland due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. They will be a very stern test for the Scottish champions. Both clubs will be looking at their fixtures together as ideal places to pick up points. Hopefully Celtic can be the team to grab those points.