SOCCEROO striker Scott McDonald said Celtic ran themselves into the ground before surrendering to a late Ryan Giggs equaliser in their Champions League clash with Manchester United.
The Australia international gave the home side the lead in the 13th minute when he lobbed United's stand-in keeper Ben Foster from just inside penalty area.
Thereafter, the Hoops - who lost 3-0 in the first Group E game at Old Trafford last month - defended for their lives and manager Gordon Strachan threw on Darren O'Dea, Massimo Donati and Ben Hutchinson in the latter stages as his players wilted in face of a relentless onslaught.
It looked like Celtic would escape with their second win over the English champions in three seasons until six minutes from time when Giggs popped up to head the equaliser in from close range after Hoops keeper Artur Boruc had parried a Cristiano Ronaldo drive.
McDonald, who came off for Hutchinson with eight minutes remaining, claimed the game had taken its toll on the Parkhead players.
He said: "On the balance of play, a lot of people might think they deserved their goal but when you play like that and put everything in to it, to lose a goal when there is only six minutes left is disappointing.
"We did drop back and back but we used up a lot of energy, especially the first half.
"Everyone put in a shift and if you look at the statistics, I can assure you that the players would have run more than they would have done in a normal SPL game."
McDonald, like Strachan, was glad to have won back some pride after their comprehensive defeat at Old Trafford last month. And the former Motherwell striker was pleased that his goal earned the point which could help Celtic win a UEFA Cup spot at least, if they beat Aalborg in Denmark in their next group game.
He said: "I think we showed that we can compete at this level. After the first game, people said there was a gulf but at home it seems we can get close to people and compete.
"I don't know if it's the crowd or a mental thing, but Celtic Park is certainly a special place for us.
"It's arguable if that was my best goal but to score it against the European champions certainly puts it up there.
"I had a wee look when the ball came to me and there was only one thing I could do because I couldn't take another touch or I would have been closed down by two or three of them. But I was delighted to see them go in.
"There is a massive incentive at Aalborg in the next game. If we do win then we are in Europe after Christmas so what more (incentive) do you need?"
Thereafter, the Hoops - who lost 3-0 in the first Group E game at Old Trafford last month - defended for their lives and manager Gordon Strachan threw on Darren O'Dea, Massimo Donati and Ben Hutchinson in the latter stages as his players wilted in face of a relentless onslaught.
It looked like Celtic would escape with their second win over the English champions in three seasons until six minutes from time when Giggs popped up to head the equaliser in from close range after Hoops keeper Artur Boruc had parried a Cristiano Ronaldo drive.
McDonald, who came off for Hutchinson with eight minutes remaining, claimed the game had taken its toll on the Parkhead players.
He said: "On the balance of play, a lot of people might think they deserved their goal but when you play like that and put everything in to it, to lose a goal when there is only six minutes left is disappointing.
"We did drop back and back but we used up a lot of energy, especially the first half.
"Everyone put in a shift and if you look at the statistics, I can assure you that the players would have run more than they would have done in a normal SPL game."
McDonald, like Strachan, was glad to have won back some pride after their comprehensive defeat at Old Trafford last month. And the former Motherwell striker was pleased that his goal earned the point which could help Celtic win a UEFA Cup spot at least, if they beat Aalborg in Denmark in their next group game.
He said: "I think we showed that we can compete at this level. After the first game, people said there was a gulf but at home it seems we can get close to people and compete.
"I don't know if it's the crowd or a mental thing, but Celtic Park is certainly a special place for us.
"It's arguable if that was my best goal but to score it against the European champions certainly puts it up there.
"I had a wee look when the ball came to me and there was only one thing I could do because I couldn't take another touch or I would have been closed down by two or three of them. But I was delighted to see them go in.
"There is a massive incentive at Aalborg in the next game. If we do win then we are in Europe after Christmas so what more (incentive) do you need?"
Copyright (c) Press Association
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