Hamburg 0 - 0 Celtic: Tony Mowbray refuses to give up, but Europa hopes hang by a thread

CELTIC manager Tony Mowbray combined satisfaction with a philosophical outlook last night after his side succeeded in frustrating Hamburg. A fighting performance by his team means their Europa League lifeline is extended for at least another match, although, with sharper finishing, this might easily have been a night when their hopes were thrillingly revived in a constant downpour in the north of Germany.

The final scoreline from Austria, where Hapoel Tel Aviv defeated Rapid Vienna 3-0, provided another dampener, but although they still occupy bottom place in Group C, Celtic have at least something to hold onto. They do, however, require Hamburg to lose their final two matches. Celtic, meanwhile, must win theirs. "We have to take maximum points – that is our focus now," said Mowbray. "Whether this is enough we will have to wait and see. I have not studied the table. We will play each game as it comes along. What will be will be."

A clean-sheet in Germany – thanks mainly to the outstanding Lukasz Zaluska – is always to be applauded, but Mowbray must privately have seethed at another mis-firing performance from his strikers. Scott McDonald was the biggest culprit, but Georgios Samaras was again in on the act too. It was not just the strikers. Barry Robson failed to hit the target in the opening couple of minutes when presented with a glorious chance.

Prior to the match, much had been made of Celtic's rather limp return of just 13 shots on targets in their three previous Europa League games. Last night was a very different story, but nothing tangible resulted from a series of attempts at goal.

"In this competition, as I have been reminded this week, we have not had many chances at goal," said Mowbray. "We probably doubled that total tonight. But I would be more worried if we were not creating chances. The strikers have to keep getting into position. But if you keep getting the opportunities, the goals will come."

Mowbray, who replaced Scott McDonald with left-back Lee Naylor early in the second-half, stressed that he had sensed the possibility of a famous victory. Celtic had not won in Germany in any of their previous eight visits. "With the personnel we had, we did go and chase victory. We kept Danny Fox on and sent on Niall McGinn to use the space in front of us," he explained. "Pat McCourt was the only other option, and I felt McGinn would help the team more.

"We did go and chase the game but you have to put it into context – we were playing a good team who tend to force you back. They are not just a good Bundesliga side – they are a very powerful one. You have to try and take the positives. Yes, we are frustrated we did not win. But we more than competed, as well as against them at Celtic Park."

Zaluska was the player who caught the eye for Celtic, and kept his side in the game with at least four fine saves. Mowbray had regretted not being able to bring Artur Boruc to Germany due to injury, but his compatriot meant the first choice goal- keeper was not missed. Perhaps for the first time since his arrival at Celtic, Boruc has a genuine rival for his place.

"Lukasz has obviously done himself no harm," said Mowbray. Down the line I will make a decision. That is what I get paid for."