Report: Shakhtar Donetsk set for fixture boost ahead of Celtic Park UCL clash

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Shakhtar Donetsk’s league clash against Minaj on Saturday is reportedly set to be postponed, according to Ukrainian media outlet Tribuna.

This news comes ahead of their trip to Glasgow to take on Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side in the penultimate UEFA Champions League group stage game.

The Ukrainian side was in league action on Wednesday evening, as they picked up three points with a 3-0 win over Kolos Kovalikvka.

Following on from their midweek victory, similar to Celtic, Shakhtar were preparing for another league outing, originally being scheduled to take on 9th-placed side Minaj.

However, according to a report from Tribuna, that fixture has been postponed, with Igor Jovićević’s side now having a free weekend before travelling to Scotland.

Whilst the reasoning for the postponement of Saturday’s game has not yet been revealed, high-profile Ukrainian, English-speaking Twitter account @ZoryaLondonsk believes it is likely to be linked to this Tuesday’s Champions League clash.

The Bhoys European knock-out hopes are extremely slim, with a result needed from their trip to the Santiago Bernabeu in two weeks’ time.

However, a victory against Shakhtar would also be crucial to keep those hopes alive as Ange Postecoglou’s squad looks to pick up their first three points in this season’s Champions League.

Celtic will also be aiming to rectify the last meeting between the two sides, which ended in a draw, despite the Hoops’ dominant display, which was deserving of more than a point.

Fresh Shakhtar will be coming to Parkhead looking to continue their UCL knockout hopes.

Celtic might be already out of the competition, but Shakhtar Donetsk still have a reasonable opportunity to qualify from Group F.

Following their 1-1 draw with Real Madrid last time out, the Ukrainian side are just one point behind RB Leipzig in the group, and a result in Glasgow would put them in a good position heading into their final match-up with the Germans.

Unfortunately for Celtic, Shakhtar are likely to be fresh going into the game at Celtic Park due to this weekend’s postponement as the Hoops prepare for a tough test at Tynecastle.

However, Ange Postecoglou won’t be looking to use that as an excuse and instead turn it into an opportunity to continue their momentum going into Tuesday’s fixture.

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