First came the plaudits. Then came the point. Celtic got their Champions League campaign properly up and running in Warsaw on Wednesday night with a draw against Shakhtar Donetsk. But it could and, in truth, should have been more.
This was no pure inventive football that won Ange Postecoglou's side admirers around the world after their fabulous first half against Real Madrid. Instead, it was a display that put them in the debit ledger, something more tangible and crucial if they are to have any hope of qualifying from Group F. But there will still be a sense of what might have been, given the wealth of chances Celtic carved open against the Ukrainians. An own goal put the Hoops ahead before Mykhaylo Mudryk levelled, both coming in the first half.
After less than 11 minutes, Celtic were ahead. Josip Juranovic hit a raking long ball to Sead Haksabanovic who then nudged it on to Hatate, with the midfielder exploding into the box. His shot-cum-cross befuddled everyone and crept over the line. Simples. Shakhtar were stunned. Celtic were celebrating. It was later given as an own goal to Hatem Bondarenko. Try telling Hatate that, though.
