Paul Lambert has sent Celtic a warning over their Champions League group stage match against Shakhtar Donetsk in Warsaw on Wednesday night. As the Bhoys travel to the Polish capital to play their second game of the Group stage against the Champions of Ukraine, the former Celtic captain has reminded the in-from Celtic side that Shakthar will be a ‘dangerous’ opponent.
Marian Shved of Shakhtar Donetsk celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League group F match between RB Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk at Red Bull Arena on September 06, 2022 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Cathrin Mueller/Getty Images)
The opening match against Real Madrid left Celtic empty-handed as the Spanish giants seized all three points in Parkhead. However, many were impressed at the football Ange Postecoglou’s side played against the current Champions of Europe.
However, Celtic’s next Group F rivals, Shakhtar Donetsk travelled to Germany to play RB Leipzig, where they stunned the hosts by securing a fantastic 4-1 win. Furthermore, the ex-Celtic winger, Marian Shved scored two of the four goals in Germany and followed it up with another strike this weekend in a dramatic 2-1 win. Lambert believes this Ukrainian Champions will be a tough match for the Bhoys, and that they will be happy to take even one point from the match. The former Celtic captain and Champions League winner told STV: “I think it’s a dangerous game. I said that when the draw was made. I thought Shakhtar was going to be dangerous because it’s unknown in terms of what you’re up against.”
“The players and manager will know but I think people on the outside will look in and go ‘it’s only Shakhtar’. But they’ve gone to Leipzig and won 4-1 and will be buoyant because of that. It’s a dangerous, dangerous game. If Celtic win it will be a brilliant result but I’m pretty sure if they got a point, they’d take that and then they can hopefully take care of their next home game.”
IMAGO/Sven Simon. Paul Lambert (vorn) und Stefan Reuter (beide BVB) laufen mit dem Pokal eine Ehrenrunde nach dem Champions League Sieg 1996/1997
“I think they need some sort of result this week though. They just need to get over that wee hurdle where they can get points away from home in the Champions League to get you through to the next round. At Celtic Park, I think they can match most.”