CALLUM MCGREGOR is pleased that Celtic ‘have arrived’ in their Champions League group by getting their first point on the board against Shakhtar Donestsk, but says it is a sign of how far Ange Postecoglou’s team have come that there is a tinge of disappointment they didn’t get all three.
Celtic dominated the game against the Ukrainian champions in Warsaw, and spurned numerous opportunities to win the game, particularly near the end as they piled the pressure on Shakhtar Donetsk.
But while the Celtic captain was frustrated by that, he was also heartened by the way his team played on the night, and says that the players will take further belief from their performance that they can qualify from Group F.
“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.
“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. “To come and play so well here, the only 15-minute spell before half-time we had to dig in and be resilient and get through that period in the game. But I thought second half we were really good and created four or five big chances.
“The next stage for the group is to put one of those away and win the game but this gives us belief and hopefully that will be there in the games to come.
“It shows you how well we played and the mentality of the group that they do believe they can do something in the group.”
After the credit Celtic took for their performance against Real Madrid on matchday one, McGregor says that it was vital they returned home to Glasgow this week with more than just plaudits to show for their efforts.
He says it is another sign of how far this Celtic team have come that they were able to come away from home and dominate so much of the game against a side like Shakhtar Donetsk, and that it won’t be long before they take the next step and get the rewards he feels they deserve.
“It’s just another little marker we can work towards and hopefully the next round of fixtures we can go and get that win,” he said.
