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.
