Match Pictures | Matches: 2025 – 2026
Trivia
- KO: 20:00: Wednesday; TNT Sports Group match 1
- UEFA Cup/Europa League
- First time Celtic playing in this new format in the UEFA Cup.
- Red Star Belgrade (old name but still used in the anglosphere) offering free tickets to home fans who donate blood. Magnificent gesture.
- A decent start against a team that’s won every match they’ve played at home this season domestically.
- The agent of David Strelec, who was a signing target for Celtic in January but was transferred to Middlesbrough this summer by Slovan Bratislava, criticised scouts for underestimating the Slovakian league and making it more difficult for the striker to secure a transfer to a top European club.
- Former Celtic full-back Mikael Lustig launched his own golf channel on YouTube.
- Several Celtic support groups rejected an invitation by the club to discuss the policing of the match against Sevco in March, when police were granted special powers that allowed them to stop any supporters they believed to be under “reasonable suspicion” of committing a crime. This is due to the frustration at the board.
Summary
‘A nice first step’published at 22:28 BST 22:28 BST FT: Red Star Belgrade 1-1 Celtic
Brendan Rodgers tells TNT Sports: “It was a tough game. “We had great opportunities in the second half, but we showed great resilience and had moments of quality, particularly in the second half. “I thought Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal was outstanding. “I wanted us to be more proactive in the game, but overall, it was a nice first step for us in the competition.” On Celtic’s improvement in the second half, he adds: “We needed someone centrally to hold the ball up. “I felt we arrived in the final third and in the first half were loose. “One of Kele’s great strengths is that he can take the ball in and progress us up the pitch, and he gave us a better platform. “Maeda wasn’t at his best, or anywhere near it, but he’s a good guy and sometimes that happens in the game. “At half time, I wanted to make that change to give us that reference at the top of the pitch.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for teenager Colby Donovan. “I thought he was absolutely outstanding,” he told TNT Sports. “He was incredible in the game for a young player only making his fourth or fifth start for us. “He’s got personality. It’s a big thing. He’s not frightened of anything. He passes the ball forward, he runs forward, he’s aggressive, he stops crosses. That’s how he trains – he trains to that level every day and I’m so happy for him.”
“For the goal, it’s a perfect first touch from Kelechi Iheanacho. Great finish too.”
Stan Petrov
joebloggscity of TheCelticWiki:
Good point. Iheanacho made a difference and Donovan was exceptional. Donovan has been superb for a young lad thrown in.
That was a good second half. Actually good. First 10 minutes we could have scored any one of 4 great chances. Surely, we have to learn that attack is definitely the best form of defence. Almost disappointed with a point, but we could have been 2 or 3 down at half time. Onwards and upwards.
Maeda was caught offside repeatedly in the first half before being swiftly being hooked, his body language & concentration is not there, which is sad to say as he’s a popular player even at this down time in form for him.
It’s a good sign that we’re frustrated at not winning that game. We’ve not been the best travellers in Europe over recent years, last season being the exception rather than the rule. So take the draw happily and move on. Maedas head looks gone imo sadly. Shadow of the man of last season.
Did we leave anything behind? Maybe, but we took something away too..all positive considering the general debacle and team still gelling. Happy.
ElSalto of KDS:
Decent enough point, providing we follow it up with two home wins.
Hatate and Maeda were piss poor, Kelechi looked lively, Scales very good.
Kasper is declining at a rapid rate.
Torquemeda of KDS:
Decent performance, decent result that will stick in a few gullets. Iheanacho made a huge difference and not only with his goal. He will win us the league at the very least. Young Donovan is a find. Our midfield is as weak as water, lots of skill but devoid of the pace and power that the manager has consistently asked for. Scales good again, which will stick in another few gullets. Arnautovic is still a gurrier. I’m glad he refused to come to us.
Inside The SPFL @AgentScotland · 2h Speaks volumes on what Rodgers thinks about Engels and Bernardo when they can’t get near a start ahead of Hatate or Nygren.
E-Tims @ETimsNet · 1h FT Red Star 1 #Celtic 1 Poor 1st half. 2nd half better. A draw a fair result. A few empty shirts getting a start. Brendan needs to freshen team up…Reo & Yang poor. Nygren rotten until one piece of quality for goal. Iheanacho great goal. Donovan impressive. Away point decent
Teams
Celtic
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Formation: 4 – 3 – 3
01 K. Schmeichel
63 K. Tierney, subbed for M. Saracchi at 82mins
05 L. Scales
20 C. Carter-Vickers
51 C. Donovan
41 R. Hatate, subbed for A. Engels at 68mins
42 C. McGregor (c), Captain
08 B. Nygren
23 S. Tounekti, subbed for M. Balikwisha at 77mins
38 D. Maeda, subbed for K. Ịheanachọ at 46mins
13 Yang Hyun-Jun, subbed for J. Forrest at 68mins
Subs:
10 M. Balikwisha
31 R. Doohan
27 A. Engels
49 J. Forrest
28 Paulo Bernardo
24 J. Kenny
14 L. McCowan
47 D. Murray
56 A. Ralston
36 M. Saracchi 85′, Yellow Card at 85mins
12 V. Sinisalo
17 K. Ịheanachọ 90′-3, Yellow Card at 90mins plus 3
Goals:
K. Ịheanachọ (55′)
Assists:
B. Nygren (55′)
Red Star Belgrade
Manager: Vladan Milojevic
Formation: 4 – 2 – 3 – 1
01 Matheus
23 N. Tiknizyan 80′, Yellow Card at 80mins
13 M. Veljković
30 F. Tebo Uchenna
66 Seol Young-Woo
20 Tomás Händel
21 T. Elšnik
04 M. Ivanić (c), Captain, subbed for P. Olayinka at 92mins
17 Bruno Duarte
49 N. Radonjić, subbed for Milson at 46mins
89 M. Arnautović, subbed for A. Katai at 75mins
Subs:
71 A. Avdić
06 M. Bajo
18 O. Glazer
77 I. Guteša
10 A. Katai 83′, Yellow Card at 83mins
22 V. Kostov
25 S. Leković
37 V. Lučić
07 Milson
14 P. Olayinka
24 N. Stanković
40 L. Zarić
Goals:
M. Arnautović (65′)
Assists:
Red Star Belgrade,F. Tebo Uchenna (65′)
Referee Radu Marian Petrescu
Video Assistant Referee Michael Fabbri
Assistant Referee 1 Radu Adrian Ghinguleac
Assistant Referee 2 Mircea Grigoriu
Fourth Official Andrei Chivulete
Assistant VAR Official Marcel Birsan
Venue:Stadion Rajko Mitić
Attendance:35,721
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
Overall possession
Red Star Belgrade 46.3% Celtic 53.7%
Shots
Red Star Belgrade 16 Celtic 8
Shots on target
Red Star Belgrade 4 Celtic 6
Total touches inside the opposition box
Red Star Belgrade 23 Celtic 19
Goalkeeper saves
Red Star Belgrade 5 Celtic 3
Fouls committed
Red Star Belgrade 12 Celtic 10
Corners
Red Star Belgrade 8 Celtic 4
In-depth match stats
Attack
Shots
Red Star Belgrade 16 Celtic 8
Shots on target
Red Star Belgrade 4 Celtic 6
Shots off target
Red Star Belgrade 9 Celtic 1
Attempts out of box
Red Star Belgrade 5 Celtic 1
Hit woodwork
Red Star Belgrade 1 Celtic 0
One-on-one attempts
Red Star Belgrade 0 Celtic 1
Total offsides
Red Star Belgrade 3 Celtic 2
Distribution
Total passes
Red Star Belgrade 419 Celtic 500
Pass accuracy %
Red Star Belgrade 81.1 Celtic 85.6
Backward passes
Red Star Belgrade 64 Celtic 77
Forward passes
Red Star Belgrade 143 Celtic 150
Total long balls
Red Star Belgrade 52 Celtic 31
Successful final third passes
Red Star Belgrade 48 Celtic 79
Total crosses
Red Star Belgrade 26 Celtic 13
Defence
Total tackles
Red Star Belgrade 14 Celtic 12
Won tackle %
Red Star Belgrade 85.7 Celtic 83.3
Fouls committed
Red Star Belgrade 12 Celtic 10
Total yellow cards
Red Star Belgrade 2 Celtic 2
Total clearances
Red Star Belgrade 21 Celtic 28
Pre Match Facts
Crvena Zvezda have met Celtic twice before in major European competition, losing a last 16 tie 6-2 on aggregate in the European Cup in 1968-69.
Celtic have lost two of their six European meetings with Serbian (inc. games as Yugoslavia) sides previously (W3 D1), failing to win any of their three away matches during that time.
Crvena Zvezda have lost just two of their last 13 home games in the UEFA Europa League (W8 D3), winning five of their last seven since September 2021.
This will be Celtic’s first appearance in the UEFA Europa League since 2021-22, winning three of their last four games in the competition (L1) though they were still eliminated from the group stage on that occasion.
Crvena Zvezda goalkeeper Matheus has made the fifth-most starts (59) in UEFA Europa League history (2009-10 onwards) and the only goalkeeper with more starts is Rui Patrício (69).
Articles
Iheanacho on target as Celtic take a point in Europa League opener
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2025/september/24/iheanacho-on-target-as-celtic-take-a-point-in-europa-league-opener/
First Team
By Matthew Campbell
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24 Sep 2025, 10:09 pm
UEFA Europa League
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Rajko Mitić Stadium, Belgrade
CRVENA ZVEZDA…1
(Arnautović 65)
CELTIC…1
(Iheanacho 56)
It ended all-square in Belgrade this evening as Crvena Zvezda and Celtic played out a 1-1 draw after two second-half goals secured a point apiece for both sides on matchday one of this season’s UEFA Europa League.
After a day of scorching temperatures and blazing sunshine in the Serbian capital, the heavens opened just before kick-off, but the unexpected deluge done nothing to dampen the spirits of the home support or the travelling Celtic faithful, with both sets of fans producing a wall of noise as the game got underway.
Both sides spent much of the opening spell trying to work their way in to the match, though Red Star were a threat from balls into the box, with the home side creating a few half-chances in the opening 20 minutes.
At the other end, Sebastian Tounekti looked lively on the left, whilst Benjamin Nygren, Yang and Colby Donovan were linking up well on the right-hand side.
Crvena Zvezda side squandered a big chance on the half-hour mark when Bruno Duarte hit the side-netting with a volley after a cross from the left was sent deep to the back post towards the Brazilian forward.
Moments later, Kasper Schmeichel produced a superb save, touching Duarte’s powerful effort from outside the area on to the crossbar to keep the score level.
The chances were beginning to pile up for Crvena Zvezda, and Marko Arnautović was the next to go close with an almost identical chance to Duarte’s at the back post, only this time the striker smashed his effort narrowly wide.
Celtic fashioned their best chance of the half just on the stroke of half-time when Nygren’s free-kick was met by Cameron Carter-Vickers at the back post, but the defender’s effort drifted just wide of the target.
46%
Possession
54%
16
Shots
8
4
Shots On Target
6
8
Corners
4
12
Fouls
10
2
0
Cards
2
0
Celtic had a huge chance early in the second half when Kieran Tierney picked out Benjamin Nygren in the box, with the Swede in a brilliant shooting position, but his first-time effort was fired straight at the keeper who made the save.
Then came a chance for Kelechi Iheanacho, who had come on at the break for Daizen, but the Nigerian forward was denied from close-range by a brave piece of goalkeeping.
But for all Magalhães in the Crvena Zvezda goal would have been feeling good about his two big saves, he could do nothing about Iheanacho’s effort on 55 minutes which put Celtic 1-0 ahead.
Nygren produced an inspired piece of play in the build-up, weaving his way towards the edge of the box from the right wing before threading the ball through to Iheanacho, whose superb touch and finish sparked wild celebrations amongst the Celtic support.
However, 10 minutes later Crvena Zvezda equalised from a corner which was headed towards the back post before being swept back in to the six-yard box where Marko Anautović was waiting to divert it in to the back of the net.
Iheanacho then found himself with another massive chance with just under 20 minutes left to play when Tounekti threaded a pass through to the forward in the box, but another piece of brave goalkeeping from Magalhães denied Celtic the lead.
Whilst the Celts continued to hunt for more opportunities, they had to remain focused in defence, and the performances of the back-line throughout the course of the night was enough to ensure that Brendan Rodgers’ men weren’t punished any further by a Crvena Zvezdar forward line that has bagged 30 goals in seven domestic games so far this season.
#With the game ending in a 1-1 draw, both sides will likely reflect on chances that they had throughout the 90 minutes to take all three points, but nevertheless, a point in Belgrade represents a positive start to the UEFA Europa League campaign for the Hoops, who will now look ahead to the visit of Hibernian to Celtic Park this weekend.
Crvena zvezda: Matheus, Seol Young-Woo, Tebo Uchenna, Veljkovic, Tiknizyan, Elsnik, Tomás Händel, Radonjic (Milson 45′), Bruno Duarte, Ivanic (Olayinka 92′), Arnautovic (Katai 75′)
Subs: Bajo, Milson, Katai, Olayinka, Glazer, Kostov, Stankovic, Lekovic, Lucic, Zaric, Avdic, Gutesa
Celtic: Schmeichel, Donovan, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney (Saracchi 82′), Nygren, McGregor, Hatate (Engels 68′), Hyunjun Yang (Forrest 68′), Maeda (Iheanacho 45′), Tounekti (Balikwisha 77′)
Subs: Balikwisha, Sinisalo, McCowan, Iheanacho, Kenny, Engels, Paulo Bernardo, Doohan, Saracchi, Murray, Forrest, Ralston
Iheanacho strikes as Celtic draw 1-1 with Red Star in Belgrade
https://news.stv.tv/sport/red-star-belgrade-v-celtic-kelechi-iheanacho-scores-in-1-1-draw-in-europa-league-opener
The Scottish champions took a point from their first Europa League fixture.
Red Star Belgrade v Celtic: Kelechi Iheanacho scores in 1-1 draw in Europa League opener
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Opener: Kelachi Iheanacho came off the bench to put Celtic ahead..
Andy Coyle
Crvena Zvezda v Celtic team news: Rodgers names side for Europa League clash
League Cup semi-final dates announced including Old Firm derby
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Celtic F.C.
Football
Scottish Premiership
Celtic have begun their Europa League campaign with a 1-1 draw against Red Star in Belgrade.
Kelechi Iheanacho opened the scoring in the 57th minute but Celtic were pegged back quickly, with Marko Arnautovic equalising less than ten minutes later.
Brendan Rodgers had opted to make just two changes from the side that defeated Partick Thistle on Sunday, with Kasper Schmeichel returning in goal and Daizen Maeda starting as the central forward.
Red Star enjoyed the better of the first half, with Celtic regularly misplacing passes and Maeda struggling to see much of the ball or find space behind the home defence. Cameron Carter-Vickers had two opportunities from set pieces towards the end of the half but couldn’t test Matheus in the Red Star goal.
Though the hosts looked calm in possession, they weren’t able to find the target despite promising build-up play and the teams went in scoreless at the break.
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Rodgers switched things up in attack, bringing Iheanacho on for Maeda and seeing an instant change. Benjamin Nygren put a shot right into Matheus’ arms after a clever cut-back from Kieran Tierney and the Swede then set up Iheanacho, who was denied by the goalkeeper.
The striker was not to be denied and got his goal in the 55th minute. Nygren played a low pass into the box, Iheanacho turned and hit an unstoppable finish past Matheus in the Red Star goal.
The lead didn’t last, and Red Star levelled just under ten minutes later. The Celtic defence was slow to react after a corner when Tebo Uchenna pounced on a loose ball and put in a low cross that Marko Arnautovic stabbed over the line.
The home side pushed forward in search of a winner, and Schmeichel was called on more than once to prevent them scoring, with a save from Mirko Ivanic the most notable. Despite plenty of possession in the wide areas and a string of crosses, they were thwarted by the Celtic defence.
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The final whistle saw both sides having to settle for a point from the first of eight League Phase fixtures.
BBC pre match
Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland commentator in Belgrade
Manager Brendan Rodgers insists Celtic have moved on from their Champions League disappointment as they prepare to make an impact in the Europa League.
The Scottish champions were knocked out of Europe’s premier club competition in the play-offs by Kazakh side Kairat Almaty.
Their focus is now on their opening game of the Europa league phase against Red Star Belgrade, who fell at the same stage of Champions League qualifying.
“I think both clubs would have wanted to be in that [the Champions League], but after the initial disappointment we are looking forward to it,” Rodgers said.
“We are not there, that is life. We cannot look back, we can only look forward. It’s a prestigious competition and we have to embrace it and see what we can do.”
Celtic have been to the final of this competition before – losing 3-2 to Jose Mourinho’s Porto 22 years ago – but Rodgers was not willing to contemplate how deep his team could go this time around.
After Red Star, they host Roma, Sporting Braga, Sturm Graz and Utrecht, and visit Feyenoord, Midtjylland and Bologna.
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“I haven’t really looked so far ahead,” said Rodgers when asked about the prospect of a long run in the Europa League. “I just know that we are in a competition that we can do well in.
“In the Champions League last season we were competitive, and likewise we feel that with the improvement we will make we can push and do well and we feel we can.”
The Celtic players will walk down the intimidating, graffiti-clad Rajko Mitic tunnel from the away dressing room to reach the pitch.
It is one of the most iconic features of European football with the noise of the baying Red Star fans as its soundtrack on matchdays.
“Just embrace it,” Rodgers said of that walk. “I’ve heard it’s about two minutes to get to the changing room so I’ll have to speak a bit quicker at half time.
“There was a big learning last year. We had some good performances and built confidence even if we lost a few games. Last year we showed that we could learn.”
The Celtic boss continually referenced last season’s European performances.
Ultimately, they fell just short against Bayern Munich in the Champions League last 16 and it is that, along with their draw at Atalanta, that gives Rodgers confidence.
“This would be the first step. There would be no point getting a win here and not doing it in the other games,” he addded.
“They are an experienced team with good players. They’ve won seven games out of seven domestically so are in good form.
“It’ll be a really good test for us, but we are up for that challenge and show our footballing quality.”
What should we expect from Red Star?
Red Star have made four Champions League appearances over the last seven seasons, but were stunned by Cypriots Pafos in qualifying this term.
That upset was caused, in part, by selling a lot of the family silver in the summer, with the sales of 18-year-old pair Veljko Milosavljevic to Bournemouth and Andrija Maksimovic to RB Leipzig helping bring in more than £40m.
But there remains plenty with which to concern Celtic.
None more so than veteran Aleksandar Katai, who has already amassed 12 goals in 13 games from midfield, having scored 19 last term as they racked up an eighth successive Serbian title.
On Saturday, as they defeated neighbours and bitter rivals Partizan Belgrade in the ‘Eternal Derby’, Katai formed part of an attacking four with 17-year-old Vasilije Kostov, Montenegro international Mirko Ivanic – who has seven goals this term – and former West Ham and Stoke striker Marko Arnautovic.
What they said
Celtic midfielder Benjamin Nygren: “I’ve heard a lot about this place, that it’s going to be an amazing atmosphere.
“That’s what you dream of as a kid. You want to play in front of these crowds. We play at Celtic Park in front of 60,000. So we know how it is and we are looking forward to it.”
Red Star Belgrade head coach Vladan Milojevic: “These are special games. Celtic are a strong, exceptional team. They have a great coach who was working in the English Premier League.
“There is no favourite in football. On paper you can write what you want but Celtic is a team that was made for participation in the Champions League. It is dominant and strong. It’ll be an interesting game.”
Match stats
Red Star have met Celtic twice before, losing a last-16 tie 6-2 on aggregate in the European Cup in 1968-69.
Celtic have lost two of six meetings with Serbian (inc games as Yugoslavia) sides (W3 D1), failing to win any of their three away game in that time.
Red Star have lost only two of their last 13 home games in the Europa League (W8 D3), winning five of their last seven since September 2021.
This will be Celtic’s first Europa League appearance since 2021-22, winning three of their last four in the competition (L1)
Red Star goalkeeper Matheus has made the fifth-most starts (59) in Europa League history (2009-10 onwards)
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cq8e7p1vv4vt#Report
At a glance
Half-time substitute Kelechi Iheanacho calmly slots the ball high into the net to give Celtic the lead
Veteran striker Marko Arnautovic hauls Red Star level in a packed box
Both kick off Europa League campaign with a point with Celtic’s next game at home to Braga of Portugal
ByAmy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland
Celtic battled their way to a deserved point in their Europa League campaign opener with an evenly matched Red Star Belgrade at the Marakana.
Former Premier League strikers Kelechi Iheanacho and Marko Arnautovic netted second-half goals for their respective sides on a night where neither outfit truly impressed.
Ex-Manchester City and Leicester City striker Iheanacho – who reunited with Brendan Rodgers after the transfer window closed – replaced the struggling Daizen Maeda at half-time for the Scottish champions and quickly legitimised the switch.
The Nigeria international killed a clever pass from fellow summer signing Benjamin Nygren before calmly steering the ball beyond Red Star goalkeeper Matheus minutes after missing a close-range effort.
Though their second-half efforts merited a goal, the hosts should have had something to show for their work before the break where Bruno Duarte smashed the side netting and cracked the crossbar.
Austria stalwart Arnautovic, who fulfilled his promise to former Bologna head coach and Red Star great Sinisa Mihajlovic by joining the club in the summer, bundled in among a congested box.
Both sides would have preferred to be in the Champions League, but with the quality, or rather lack of it at times, would suggest the second-tier competition is much more their level.
Analysis: Slow starters Celtic grind out scrappy draw
For 50 minutes in Belgrade, shades of Celtic’s blunt two legs against Kairat Almaty in their Champions League play-off crossed the mind.
Rodgers’ side were once again lethargic and lacked the quality required to compete at the sharp end of the pitch.
Under pressure for most of the first half, the Scots were fortunate their hosts were as profligate as they were.
Cameron Carter-Vickers twice came close to puncturing Red Star’s pressure, but his tame efforts summed up a stuffy start from Celtic.
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Maeda had just eight touches in his 45 minutes before he was hooked for natural striker Iheanacho.
Celtic’s attack finally had a bit of dimension, and there was a flurry of chances before the breakthrough arrived. However, it didn’t bring domination and the equaliser followed.
As daunting an arena the Marakana is, Celtic did not really threaten a winner late on and appeared almost happy to hold out for the draw – one which Rodgers admitted post-match is “a nice first step”.
What’s next for these teams?
Celtic host Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday (15:00 BST) before continuing their Europa League campaign at home to Braga next Thursday, (17:45).
Red Star Belgrade host Radnicki 1923 in the Serbian SuperLiga on Saturday before travelling to take on Porto in Europe next week.
Where to next?
…