Celtic held to Dinamo draw as Champions League knockout qualification hopes made to wait

Celtic managed to get another draw on the board in the Champions League's new-look league phase in a 0-0 draw with Dinamo Zagreb, to momentarily take them up to 17th in the table and five points clear of Paris Saint-Germain in the drop zone - but they will have been hoping for more against a depleted Zagreb side who haven’t won at home since the end of September in all competitions.

The Hoops drew 1-1 at home to Club Brugge last time out in what was considered a decent yet lacking result, and Brendan Rodgers’ men knew that a win in eastern Europe would have taken them into sixth - even if only for a few hours with the majority of sides yet to play.

But the first half didn’t offer much for either side. Some neat play from Paulo Bernardo, Callum McGregor and Nicolas Kuhn in spells throughout the first half saw Celtic threaten, and though Kasper Schmeichel wasn’t tested, it’s fair to say that Zagreb stopper Danijel Zagorac wasn’t either.

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65 per cent possession in the first half was their second-highest tally in the Champions League this season, second only to the 69 per cent they registered on the opening day at home to Slovan Bratislava - but the Hoops couldn’t do anything with the ball.

A second half switch saw the underwhelming Alistair Johnston replaced by Tony Ralston, and that somewhat sparked something into life for Kuhn - who had a half-chance blocked early in the second half, with the ball being destined for the back of the net - but still, there was little to work with.

Auston Trusty blocked a strike from Marko Pjaca just before the hour as Zagreb looked for an opening, before a defensive mix-up saw Kasper Schmeichel save from in-demand star Martin Baturina.

But the game started to open up from both sides from there. Kyogo almost slid in from a Bernardo cross, before Cameron Carter-Vickers followed up to win a corner - and you felt a goal was coming. Luke McCowan was introduced and had a strike from distance that was easily held as the pendulum saw a more end-to-end fashion, but it was the same tale for both sides in that nothing was giving.

Schmeichel then kept Celtic in it with 10 minutes to go, tipping over from a free header for Pjaca as both sides desperately pushed for an equaliser. It wasn't to be for either side, especially so when Arne Engels squared the ball for Adam Idah to tap home before a vital block by Kevin Theophile-Catherine.

It's back to Glasgow with a point for the Hoops, who are now on nine overall with two games to go - though they will be keeping a keen eye on the games later in the night and on Wednesday.