Celtic-Shakhtar Donetsk: Let’s Get it On!

By: JT | November 27th, 2007

Since Celtic defeated Benfica a few weeks back, the date of 28 November has had a giant green circle around it. The international break made the date feel like it was years away, but finally we’re here, preparing for what is likely to be the most important match of Celtic’s European campaign, until next week at least.

Celtic and Shakhtar both sit on six points, three behind leaders AC Milan. With the Bhoys traveling to Milan for their final match and Shakhtar hosting Benfica, only a win will suffice. Shakhtar, on the other hand, will likely be content with a point.

Since Shakhtar’s man-handling of Celtic in September, things have gone awry for the Moles, both in the Champions League and at home. They managed to get an away win at Benfica, but then were taught a footballing lesson by Milan, losing the home-and-home by a 7-1 aggregate.

Domestically, things have not gone smoothly either. Their lead in the Ukrainian Premier League is down to a single point over Dnjepr Dnjepropetrovsk, and their last two league fixtures were a loss to Dynamo Kyiv and a home draw with last place Naftovik Okhtirka.

The key story that affects Wednesday’s match with Celtic coming out of the Naftovik draw revolves around Shakhtar’s unibrowed striker and €20m summer signing Nery Castillo. The Mexican won a penalty near the end of the match and refused to give the ball to the designated penalty-taker, Cristiano Lucarelli. Castillo’s weak strike was easily saved by the Naftovik keeper, causing coach Mircea Lucescu to say after the match, “He has shown by his actions that he doesn’t want to play here and that nothing interests him.” Rumor has it that Castillo has been left behind in Ukraine and will be heading elsewhere in January.

Besides the on-field problems that the club is having, the entire Donestsk region has been shocked and saddened by a gas explosion that killed 88 and hospitalized 31 in the Zasiadko mine on November 18. Incredibly, 13 miners lost their lives at the same mine in 2006 after a gas leak, and no real improvements were made. Being the classy club that they are, Celtic will be honoring those lost in the explosion with a minute of applause pre-match.

As for Celtic, this weekend’s romp over Aberdeen was a nice warm-up for this crucial fixture. The Celts created tons of chances and have to feel extremely confident heading into this match. An injury to Artur Boruc and Paul Hartley’s recovery from a viral infection are the chief concerns.

Boruc returned from international duty with toe and knee injuries. The knee will require keyhole surgery when the season is complete, but the toe is the immediate issue. It kept the Holy Goalie out of the Aberdeen match, but he trained this morning. Ideally WGS will make a call on his fitness early in the day. If Boruc can’t go, Mark Brown will mind the net. Clearly that’s a downgrade from Boruc, but Brown is a damn good keeper in his own right and will be up for the occasion.

The back four will be the same as it has been of late, primarily because there really is no other choice. Gary Caldwell is doing yeoman’s work as a makeshift right back, while John Kennedy, Stephen McManus, and Lee Naylor round out the defense.

Hartley trained today as well, and looks set to retain his place in front of the defense. If he can’t go, look for Massimo Donati to step into what’s rapidly becoming a bit more of a 4-1-3-2 than a 4-4-2 diamond in midfield. Scott Brown and Aiden McGeady are guaranteed to be on the team sheet as well, with Jiri Jarosik the strongest candidate to complete the foursome .

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Scott McDonald will continue with their Mutt and Jeff impression up front. Both scored at the weekend and look in fine form heading into the match.

Look for Celtic to come out on the attack in this match, seeking the early goal that can put them in control. The way the young midfielders are playing, they’ll be very difficult to stop, and I expect McGeady or Scott Brown to open the scoring.

Once Shakhtar open things up in the second half trying to equalize, McDonald will get his customary goal and Jarosik will tap in from a saved shot from distance by Caldwell.

3-0 to the Celts, Milan win handily at home, and they both advance to the group stage with a match to spare.