Thompson out of Shakhtar clash

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has confirmed midfielder Alan Thompson will miss the crucial Champions League trip to Shakhtar Donetsk on October 20.

The former Aston Villa and Bolton man picked up a hamstring problem in the defeat by AC Milan last week.

But the Hoops’ boss is more hopeful defender Joos Valgaeren will be available for the trip to the Ukraine after a similar injury in the win at Dundee United on Sunday.

O’Neill told the club’s official website, www.celticfc.net: “Joos’ injury is nowhere as severe as Alan Thompson’s so we are encouraged about that. But it will still be a few weeks before he is back.

“It’s hard to say in terms of the first Shakthar game, but I would say that that one would almost definitely be too soon for Thommo.”

But the Parkhead boss has warned his team that nothing less than a victory in Donetsk would be good enough to remain in the Champions League this season.

O’Neill added: “I think it is pretty plain that we would have to win the matches against Donetsk.

“To the outsider, they would probably be viewed as important in terms of who goes into the UEFA Cup, though that’s not my particular view at this minute.

“But, whereas a draw would probably have been considered a decent result if we’d managed to get something from Milan, it would now be imperative that we go over there and win the game to give ourselves any chance of staying in the Champions League.

“Even in terms of the UEFA Cup, the game is one we certainly can’t afford to lose.”