Mowbray still defiant but Bhoys on the brink

TONY MOWBRAY refuses to give up on the Europa League, despite a goalless draw at Hamburg which last night left his Celtic side needing a miracle to qualify from Group C.

Although the Hoops boss was buoyed by an encouraging performance in Germany, the visitors failed to get their first victory in the group and remain bottom of the table on two points – five behind second-placed Hamburg, with two games remaining.

Celtic need to beat Hapoel Tel Aviv at home and Rapid Vienna away – while hoping that Hamburg lose both their remaining games.

That scenario is decidedly unlikely, but the Celtic boss said “We will try and get the points which are in front of us.

“Every other game doesn’t seem to be as close – there has been a 5-1 and a 3-0 – but regarding the group, we have two matches left and we have to take maximum points. That has got to be our focus.”

Once again, Mowbray watched his side fall short in front of goal. Celtic had recorded just 13 shots on target in the previous three Group C games – and although that statistic improved against Hamburg, the crucial goal failed to appear.

Striker Scott McDonald missed two sitters as the visitors edged an open first half. But throughout an entertaining game, stand-in Hoops goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska made a series of fine saves.

“It was a frustrating performance,” said Mowbray. “We had a couple of clear-cut chances that didn’t go in.”

HAMBURG: Rost, Rincon, Rozehnal, Mathijsen, Aogo, Elia, Jarolim, Ze Roberto, Jansen (Trochowski 83), Pitroipa (Torun 87), Berg. CELTIC: Zaluska, Hinkel, Caldwell, Loovens, Daniel Fox, Robson (McGinn 75), Crosas, N’Guemo, McGeady (Fortune 59), Samaras, McDonald (Naylor 59).

Ref: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain).