Celtic’s hopes of progressing through the Europa League group stages are all but over despite their impressive 0-0 draw with Hamburg.

Tony Mowbray’s men must now win their final two group C matches and hope the German outfit lose theirs to stay in the competition.

Celtic started brightly on the road with Barry Robson and Scott McDonald both going close in the opening stages.

Artur Boruc’s replacement, Lukasz Zaluska, then made impressive saves in the first period to deny Marcus Berg and Marcell Jansen.

The visitors had chances after the break with Georgios Samaras seeing a weak shot saved by Frank Rost before Zaluska came to the fore again in the closing stages.

He kept out Eljero Elia’s powerful shot but saved his best for last when he tipped over former Newcastle defender David Rozenhal’s header to secure the point but Celtic still need a mathematical miracle to progress.

Manager's reaction

Tony Mowbray insists Celtic must find a ruthless streak if they are to succeed this season after they squandered several chances in the 0-0 draw with Hamburg.

The Hoops must now win their final two Europa League group games and hope the Germans lose both of theirs to have any chance of qualifying for the next stage.

Mowbray’s men could easily have returned from the Nordbank Arena with all of the points as Barry Robson, Scott McDonald and Georgios Samaras all wasted golden opportunities in front of goal.

Mowbray, who has refused to write off their hopes of progressing, said: “We’re really frustrated – we had clear-cut chances that didn’t go in and we had to take one of them.

“We could easily have won the game and now we have two games left that we must win – what will be will be.

“In every game in this group we have played we have been very close but for whatever reason they haven’t fallen our way.

“But I will take positives from result. Hamburg are a powerful Bundesliga side – we are frustrated but we know that we can compete.”