Juninho takes blame for Celtic collapse
Juninho has shouldered responsibility for Celtic’s demoralising Champions League Group F defeat in the Ukraine last night.
The Scottish champions are in grave danger of crashing out of Europe altogether after succumbing to their third successive defeat of the campaign to remain rock bottom.
Shakhtar Donetsk revived their own Champions League hopes thanks to an emphatic Francelino Matuzalem double and exquisite Brandao chip over David Marshall in the second half.
Juninho could hardly be blamed for their second-half collapse which came after Jackie McNamara and Chris Sutton had been forced off through injury.
But the disappointing Brazilian candidly felt that he let his team-mates down after barely touching the ball, and when he did have possession he struggled to make any use of it.
“Maybe 3-0 was too much but we didn’t deserve to win,” admitted Juninho. “Most of all in the second half we made a lot of mistakes.
“I couldn’t get into the game and there were too many mistakes on my part. I am very sorry that I couldn’t help the team.
“This was an exception after some good performances and a goal but I just couldn’t get it and my touch was bad. I was always late on the ball.”
The former Middlesbrough playmaker also conceded that it is tough for Celtic to even secure a consolation in the UEFA Cup now.
But with Shakhtar at Parkhead in a fortnight and with three games to go, Juninho is adamant that the battered and bruised stars will not be throwing in the towel just yet.
He added: “It’s obviously a very disappointing result and a big team like Celtic has to keep our heads up.
“We just won’t give up. We have quality players but our quality didn’t guarantee anything here. We have to be better in two weeks because it’s one of the most important games of the season. We have to be ready for that.”
John Hartson was also feeling guilty after squandering a glorious first-half chance, but he is convinced Celtic can beat the Ukraine side at Parkhead in a fortnight.
“They were there for the taking in the first half. They looked a really good side after watching them against Milan. I am not saying they’re not, but the first 35 to 40 minutes we could have scored.
“This was a great chance to get a win from home but we will keep going and we feel we can beat these guys at our place. There are points to play for and we are obviously playing for third place now.
“It doesn’t take a genius to work out that we are playing for third place. 3-0 doesn’t help.”
