Champions League. Celtic - Shakhtar. Post match press conference

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Gordon Strachan:

- What is you impression of this breathtaking match?

- Just when you think you've seen it all, you can never work out what happens next. We lost a stupid goal, had two players stretchered off in the first half. But you win games with a big heart and my team have a big heart.

- Was it your side’s best result?

– Was it the best result? Perhaps, just for sheer guts and determination. We didn't give Shakhtar many chances at all and that was pleasing. I know how hard the players have to work and to perform in that kind of environment. It was tense, but the response was fantastic.

- At one point you looked overexcited. Was this game that important to you?

– I felt that every time we went forward, we were dangerous. Scott Brown, Aiden McGeady, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Jiri Jarosik all looked dangerous. I think the players can be very proud of themselves in the way they never let their heads drop, particularly after the first goal went in so early. They must take a lot of credit. Massimo Donati started the day badly because, earlier on, I told him he wasn't playing and he didn't take it well, but he ended it a hero after scoring the goal. That's football. This is a special place, I don't think there is anywhere in Europe that is like Celtic Park in terms of the atmosphere. But I can't work it out. The players showed so much heart and never gave up.

– About what did you speak with Mircea Lucescu after the match?

– It’s a secret.

– Were you alerted by the injuries of two of your players?

– I tried not to get arrested by our losses. Every minute of the game brings something new.

– What do you think of the Milan – Benfica result?

- I was absorbed by our match and didn’t follow the events on another field. We have won 3 of five matches played and have gained 9 points. That’s great. I am filled with hope and enthusiasm concerning our prospects for this campaign.

– How are the injured players?

- One of them has been taken to the hospital; another has received a minor injury. I think they’ll be fine and will be able to recover soon.

- Could you comment on Donati’s winning goal?

- He started the match as a substitute player and at the end of it he was a national hero.

- Do you think you have secured your place in the next phase?

– No I don’t think so.

- Celtic have been winning all home games in the Champions League second season in a row. How could you explain it?

– I don’t know, it just happens. And I hope it will in the future too.

Mircea Lucescu: Luck is a great thing

- I am very upset about the result. But I was right when I said Celtic were a lucky team. It wasn't a criticism, it is a strength, but I can't understand it. I wanted to be lucky tonight and I think we were better, but it wasn't to be. We played well-organised for 43 minutes of the game. But thje players got tired toward the end of the game and made a bad mistake.

– What were you talking about with Strachan?

– There is no secret about it. I asked him why did he react like that on my words about his team’s luckiness. Luck is a great thing! We have another chance, we have six days to prepare for the game against Benfica. I think we are a better team than Celtic and I think we deserve to reach the last 16 of the Champions League.

– What did you like about Celtic’s performance?

– Celtic got strength, they are a well organised and aggressive team. Perhaps, too aggressive. They hold their positions well and do well with high balls. But I think our players are younger and more skilful.

– Do you think they scored only because Shakhtar had made mistakes?

– They couldn't have scored without our mistakes, they were lucky when they played us in Donetsk to escape with just a 2-0 defeat, we had a perfectly good third goal ruled out and they were lucky again tonight.

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