Celtic out of UEFA Youth League after disappointing home defeat to Shakhtar

By John McGinley

October 25, 2022

Celtic U19s are out of the UEFA Youth League after slipping to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of now knockout-round-qualified Shakhtar Donetsk in Airdrie this afternoon.

The Bhoys still had a chance of joining Real Madrid in the next stage of the tournament going into today’s game but needed a victory against the Ukrainians to keep that dream alive.

The first half was closely contested. Celtic were unfortunate not to be ahead going into the interval after Adam Brooks missed a penalty and Matthew Anderson forced the goalkeeper into an error that hit the crossbar.

Shakhtar had their own chances, and Tobi Oluwayemi was called into action on more than one occasion to keep the scores at 0-0 heading into the second half.

Despite early Celtic pressure after the break, it was 19-year-old Vladyslav Pohorilyi who finished well from a low cross into the box after 63 minutes. This proved to be the decisive, winning goal of the afternoon.

The result leaves the U19s bottom of Group F on three points, with nothing to play for but pride and development in the final group match away to Real Madrid next week.

Like the senior side, there were definite opportunities for our young players to pick up better results over the last few weeks. There’ll be a feeling of ‘what if?’ amongst the squad, given they weren’t completely outclassed other than at home to Real in a wild weather opener.

RB Leipzig have also been knocked out and won’t be progressing into the next round that starts to include elite youth teams who weren’t involved in the groups.

Next up for the Bhoys is a trip to Cumbernauld Colts in the Lowland League, before that trip to Spain.

Elsewhere on 67 Hail Hail, 5 changes, midfield call; Celtic Predicted XI vs Shakhtar Donetsk.