Celtic's Europa League hopes hang by a thread after playing out a gutsy but ultimately goalless draw with Hamburg in the Nordbank Arena.

Hoops' striker Scott McDonald missed two glaring chances as the visitors edged an open first half.

The Parkhead side, though, had goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska to thank for a series of fine saves throughout an entertaining game which could have gone either way.

However, despite an encouraging performance overall, Celtic remain at the bottom of the table on two points, five behind second-placed Hamburg with two Group C games remaining.

Tony Mowbray's men need to beat Hapoel Tel Aviv at home and Rapid Vienna away while hoping the Bundesliga side lose both their remaining games. It is an unlikely scenario.

In the 17th minute the visitors should have taken the lead when a surging run by Georgios Samaras ended when the Greek striker slipped the ball to the unmarked McDonald. The Australia international was only 10 yards out but his curled attempt was parried wide by Hamburg keeper Frank Rost.

In the 33rd minute Celtic missed another great opportunity to forge ahead when midfielder Aiden McGeady played in McDonald with a clever pass which split the home side's defence. However, Rost was quickly out to block the former Motherwell striker's drive before gathering at the second attempt.

In the 52nd minute, as Hamburg stepped up the pace, the keeper got a good hand to Eljero Elia's 25-yard drive, with captain Gary Caldwell clearing to thwart Pitroipa, who was waiting to pounce on the loose ball.

A finely-balanced game continued apace and in the 73rd minute Zaluska made another fine save, this time from Hamburg defender David Rozehnal's point-blank header, after Aogo had fired in a corner from the right.

Niall McGinn replaced Robson two minutes later as Celtic pushed hard but a nervy ending to the game refused to produce a winner and the Parkhead side now need a football miracle to qualify.