It's Celtic 's last home game in the Champions League this season.
Their return to the group stage of the competition hasn't exactly gone to plan, with the Hoops unable to qualify for the knock-out stage with two matches still to play. They've yet to win a game so far and have just a solitary point from their opening four fixtures. A good effort against Real Madrid in their curtain raiser still ended in a 3-0 defeat, while they were left ruing missed chances against tonight's opponents in Warsaw, which yielded a 1-1- draw.
The double header against RB Leipzig proved damaging. Despite drawing level in Leipzig. Postecoglou's men couldn't turn it round and the hosts ran out 3-1 winners. More missed chances in the Parkhead clash were ruen as the Germans won 2-0, putting second place out of the Scottish champions' reach. There is however, a slim chance of finishing third and dropping into the Europa League.
For that to happen, nothing less than a win will do tonight. Shakhtar are four points ahead of Celtic after beginning their campaign with a 4-1 win over RB Leipzig prior to that point against the Glasgow club. They lost narrowly lost at the Bernabeu and were seconds from drawing with the Spanish champions before Antonio Rudiger equalised deep into stoppage time.
The Ukrainians are viewed as Celtic's best opportunity of picking up all three points. But their performances and results against Real should act as a warning against anyone thinking they can just roll them over at Celtic Park this evening. The Record Sport writers have predicted how they think things will pan out.
KEITH JACKSON
THIS fixture always looked like being Celtic’s best chance of banking three Group F points and the rampant form Ange Postecoglou’s side are in ahead of a visit from Shakhtar bodes well. The Ukrainians are slick and dangerous on the counter-attack but an early goal for the home side could set the tempo for a first Champions League win.
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GAVIN BERRY
There is pressure going into this one on boss Postecoglou as it’s their best chance of victory of all six Group F fixtures. It can’t be another hard-luck story and it won’t be – the signs have been positive on this stage without the result but this can be the night it comes together.
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MICHAEL GANNON
Celtic will fancy their chances of a first group win in the competition this season but this one is fraught with danger. Shakhtar are counter-attacking masters and they could really punish the Hoops
if they are allowed the space. Celts have the talent to cause problems themselves so it should be a wild night in Glasgow.
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ANDY NEWPORT
The Ukrainians were moments away from sealing a historic win over Real Madrid last time out so clearly aren’t to be treated lightly but it’s time Celtic stepped up and claimed the result that will keep them in the hunt for a Europa League place. With 14 goals in their last three games Postecoglou will hope his side are over the crippling self-doubt in front of goal that’s hampered their Euro campaign so far.
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FRASER WILSON
It’s do or die for Celtic and in front of a pumped-up Parkhead crowd I strongly fancy them to do the business and claim the three points. The Hoops should have won the away tie given the chances they created. Find their Champions League shooting boots and their Europa League hopes could still be alive come 10pm.
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