Celtic began their Europa League campaign with a battling 1-1 draw against Crvena zvezda in Belgrade on Wednesday night.
After a drab 45-minute performance where chances were at a premium, Cameron Carter-Vickers went closest with a close-range header in first-half stoppage time. However, Brendan Rodgers’ decision to swap Daizen Maeda with Kelechi Iheanacho at half-time paid dividends almost instantly, with the Nigerian firing Celtic into the lead on 55 minutes after neat work from Benjamin Nygren.
The lead wouldn’t last long, though, with former Stoke City and West Ham United forward Marko Arnautović bundling home a deserved equaliser for the home side just 10 minutes later, to ensure the game ended with a share of the spoils.
Celtic will now return to domestic action as they host Hibs this Saturday in the Scottish Premiership, before they welcome Braga to Parkhead in their next Europa League clash, which will be played on Thursday, 2 October.
Here’s how The Scotsman rated the performance of each Celtic player in the 1-1 draw against Crvena zvezda at the Rajko Mitic Stadium:
9. Sebastian Tounekti - 6
Positive with his running, and tried to bring others into play. Looks confident following his bright start to life in Celtic colours, but was unable to create anything meaningful for his team in Belgrade tonight. | TSPL Photo: TSPL
10. Yang Hyun-Jun - 4
Showed a couple of bright moments early on before fading badly. Switched off on a throw in which almost cost his side after 30 minutes, which left Schmeichel incensed. Lost the ball that led to Bruno Duarte smashing a shot off the bar, and didn't show enough to warrant his spot in the starting XI on the night. | TSPL
11. Daizen Maeda - 4
Pressed well, but wasn't involved enough while playing as a central striker. The Celtic talisman looked frustrated and a little jaded, before being surprisingly hauled off at the break by Rodgers. | PA Photo: PA
12. Celtic substitutes:
Kelechi Iheanacho - 7 (Came on for Maeda at half-time and made an instant impact, scoring shortly after arriving on the field. Could have - and perhaps should have - had even more goals, though). James Forrest - 5 (Minimal impact) Arne Engels - 5 (Minimal impact) Michel-Ange Balikwisha - NA (Late sub) Marcelo Saracchi - NA (Late sub) | TSPL Photo: TSPL