It feels like an age since Celtic took to the field against Real Madrid last Tuesday and similarly to that game, Wednesday’s tie with Shakhtar was one which followed the mantra of missed opportunities.
Mykhaylo Mudryk’s powerful effort cancelled out Artem Bondarenko’s own goal however towards the end of the match, it is fair to say there was only one team in it.
In spite of their late dominance, Celtic failed to take their chances with the game finishing as a 1-1 draw.
Here is how Ange Postecoglou’s players rated:
Joe Hart – 6/10
Shakhtar Donetsk had two shots on target throughout the match meaning there wasn’t much to do for Joe Hart in the Celtic goal. The Englishman, though, was ever-quick off his line and did seem eager to claim quite a few crosses and corners.
Josip Juranovic – 6/10
Josip Juranovic started tonight’s game very well although somewhat faded as the match went on. Mykhaylo Mudryk undoubtedly caused the Croatian problems although it was he who magnificently put it on a plate for Daizen Maeda in the dying embers. Jurnaovic also played a great ball up the park for Celtic’s goal.
Cameron Carter-Vickers – 7/10
The USA international was well-founded at the heart of the Celtic defence this evening. Carter-Vickers was a steady contributor and played some clever, forward-thinking passes out of defence.
Moritz Jenz – 6/10
Moritz Jenz experienced some shaky moments in the Hoops backline tonight and was booked for hauling down his man after hesitating on the ball in the middle of the park in the second half. Going forward, the German got a thorough strike of the ball after it fell to him from a corner yet he could only put it straight at the Shakhtar keeper. Moments after, the hosts drew level.
Greg Taylor – 7/10
Former Celtic outcast Maryan Shved did cause Greg Taylor some problems throughout the match however the Scotland left back stood firm for the majority. Taylor also got forward amply and if Giorgos Giakoumakis made the net bulge with his late strike that flew just wide, the 24 year old would’ve had an assist to his name.
Callum McGregor – 6/10
Celtic captain Callum McGregor didn’t standout this evening as much as he did last week against Real Madrid. Granted, the 29 year old was immaculate in his passing, McGregor did loose out in quite a few tackles in midfield, most notably one in the build up to Shakhtar’s equaliser.
Shakhtar Donetsk’s Marian Shved in action with Celtic’s Greg Taylor REUTERS/Kacper Pempel
Reo Hatate – 7/10
He did seem to run out of steam just before he came off however Reo Hatate was still vivacious as ever in the Celtic midfield. The Japanese midfielder played some nice cross-field passes and he amply came on to the ball to put it in via Artem Bondarek for the opener ten minutes in.
Matt O’Riley – 6/10
Yet to break his goalscoring duck in 2022/23, Matt O’Riley still couldn’t do so this evening despite a number of shots on goal. Other than a few long range efforts, O’Riley was relatively muted and came off for David Turnbull 68 minutes in.
Jota – 7/10
One of Celtic’s livelier performers from tonight, Jota, similarly to his teammates, seemed to have everything but end product. The Portuguese went on numerous mazy runs in which he left several opponents for dead although when he pulled the trigger, it was too late in the day.
Kyogo – 6/10
The only opportunity Kyogo had came two minutes in however Anatolii Tubin was up to the challenge, beating it away at his near post. Apart from this, the Japanese forward was relatively uninvolved although one wonders what could’ve been if the chance Giorgos Giakoumakis was presented with late on fell to him.
Sead Haksabanovic – 6/10
After some eye-catching cameos, Sead Haksabanovic was rewarded with his first Celtic start against Shakhtar. The Montenegrin played on the left wing although didn’t seem to impress as much as in his previous appearances despite playing a key pass which unlocked the Shakhtar defence for the Hoops’ opener.
Substitutes
Daizen Maeda came on for Sead Haksabanovic at half time and had a glorious opportunity to win it for Celtic in the ninetieth minute however he lacked composure and fired wide. The Japanese winger was constantly on the move after he came on at the break for the second Champions League game running.
Shakhtar Donetsk’s Ivan Petryak in action with Celtic’s Daizen Maeda REUTERS/Kacper Pempel
Three changes were made by Ange Postecoglou on the 68th minute of the match.
David Turnbull, who replaced Matt O’Riley, had a few shots from range and put himself around but didn’t particularly standout.
Aaron Mooy came on for Reo Hatate and kept it simple in midfield with Giorgos Giakoumakis the final of the subs who came on with just over 20 minutes to play.
The Greek striker was able to significantly contribute but unfortunately in Celtic’s case, not to a goal. He almost did, however, expertly knocking it down for an acrobatic Maeda effort and blazing off target after Taylor tremendously presented it to him inside the box.
The final Celtic change of the night saw Jota be replaced by Liel Abada although the young winger had little time to affect the game in any manner.
It is fair to say Celtic will be disappointed with a draw from the match. Much the better side going forward, the Hoops created several chances but lacked that vital bit of end product.
Nonetheless, gaining a point away from home in Europe is never negative although one wonders what could’ve been had Giakoumakis or Maeda made the net bulge with either of their late strikes.
We’re missing something in the team, middle to front.
McGregor’s slipped down our midfield pecking order for me; i think Turnbull, Hatate, Mooy & O’Riley all offer more to the team, and have less mistakes in their game than the current captain.
He still puts in a shift, McGregor, but his errors outweigh his benefits