Celtic began their 2025-26 UEFA Europa League campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Red Star Belgrade at the Rajko Mitić Stadium in Serbia on September 24, 2025. The Scottish champions secured an early breakthrough in the second half thanks to a spectacular finish from Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho, who came off the bench to make an immediate impact.
Brendan Rodgers’ side had a challenging first half with limited attacking opportunities and found it difficult to penetrate the home team’s defensive setup. Daizen Maeda started as the centre-forward but struggled to create clear chances. Celtic’s midfield, including promising youngster Sebastian Tounekti and Reo Hatate, were unable to consistently spark the offense, resulting in a largely cagey opening 45 minutes.
However, with the return from the break, Celtic looked revitalized. A fast build-up and incisive passing saw Cameron Carter-Vickers and Benjamin Nygren threatening repeatedly, forcing several good stops from Red Star’s goalkeeper Matheus. Iheanacho’s moment came in the 55th minute when Nygren’s precise pass allowed him to side-foot into the top corner from 16 yards, showcasing both composure and clinical finishing.
Despite taking the lead, Celtic could not hold on as Red Star’s former European experience in the shape of Marko Arnautovic leveled the score in the 65th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse following a corner. The home side pressed for a winner but could not break through a resilient Celtic defense marshaled effectively by Copa-winning goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Rodgers expressed satisfaction with Iheanacho’s performance, highlighting the striker’s ability to deliver under pressure and reaffirming his importance to the team as they look to advance in the competition. The draw gave both sides a valuable point in a tightly contested group stage, emphasizing the competitive nature of this European campaign.
Celtic will now focus on their upcoming league fixtures to build momentum while analyzing this Europa League opener to enhance their chances of qualifying beyond the group phase. Iheanacho’s goal has certainly lifted spirits among fans and coaches alike, proving he can be a decisive figure for the club in the European arena.
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