RED STAR BELGRADE 1 CELTIC 1
KELECHI IHEANACHO scored 10 minutes into his Celtic European debut as Brendan Rodgers’ side earned a point in Belgrade this evening.
The Nigerian international striker replaced an out-of-sorts Daizen Maeda at the interval and netted in the 55th minute with a wonderful controlled finish after some excellent build-up play from Benjamin Nygren who had been sent running clear by the impressive Colby Donovan.
The Swede parted with the ball at the exact right time and Iheanacho – known to his manager as Kels – was composed as he swept a 12-yard left-foot drive wide of the advancing keeper.
EURO STAR…Benjamin Nygren congratulates Kelechi Iheanacho after his goal in the 1-1 Europa League draw with Red Star in Belgrade tonight.
It was a goal the Hoops deserved after a whirlwind start to the second-half. Kieran Tierney set up a chance for Nygren, but the Swede’s finish was too close to Matheus who held on firmly to the ball.
And then Iheanacho had a chance from a low cross from Nygren, but the Red Star No.1 spread himself to divert his effort for a corner-kick.
And Donovan sent in a snap shot from the set-play and once again Matheus was called upon to repel the danger.
Thankfully, he had no answer as Iheanacho struck with the crucial opener.
Unfortunately, the goal was nullified 10 minutes later when the visitors failed to clear a left-wing corner-kick and a header was knocked wide to Soel Young-woo on the right touchline.
He whipped over a low ball and Marko Arnautovic snapped up the opportunity from four yards.
Celtic maintained their focus throughout to achieve a point in the opening Europa League outing with Sporting Braga next up at Parkhead next week.
A spectacular high-flying save from Kasper Schmeichel made sure it was goalless at the interval in a fairly even opening half.
The Great Dane displayed the agility that belied his 38 years in the 36th minute when he denied Brazilian dangerman Duarte who turned swiftly on the edge of the 18-yard box to thunder a left-foot drive high towards goal.
Schmeichel took off as the ball zeroed towards the roof of the net to get a touch and divert the ball onto the crossbar and the ricochet was hastily cleared.
Cameron Carter-Vickers had the opportunity to score in first-half stoppage-time when the busy Nygren sent over a peach of a free-kick from the left.
The centre-back found himself with a clear header from six yards, but, unfortunately, his accuracy and elevation were off and he sent a header waywardly over the bar.
The Hoops enjoyed a lot of possession without creating too many problems for keeper Matheus who only had one shot on target to deal with in the opening 45 minutes.
That came from a snap free-kick from Nygren just outside the box after Yang Hyun-jun had been fouled. The Swedish midfielder tried to take the Brazilian shotstopper by surprise, but his drive went straight into the grateful arms of the netminder.
Maeda was enduring a frustrating game and had been caught offside three times in the space of 30 minutes and it was no surprise when he was replaced by Iheanacho at the interval.
Brendan Rodgers withdrew Yang and the disappointing Reo Hatate to throw on James Forrest and Arne Engels in the 68th minute.
Nine minutes later, Michel-Ange Balikwisha joined the action as he replaced Sebastian Tounetki who looked as though he had run out of steam after a lively first-half.
In the 82nd minute it was the turn of Kieran Tierney, who had put in a mighty shift, to be removed with Marcelo Saracchi coming on at left-back.
The Serbs tried desperately to get the winner as they threw the ball into the box, but Rodgers’ side, with Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales rocks in central defence, kept them at bay.
The Hoops boss will be delighted with the point after a display that augers well for the Europa games ahead.
TEAM: Schmeichel; Donovan, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney (sub: Saracchi 82); Nygren, McGregor, Hatate (sub: Engels 68); Yang (sub: Forrest 68), Maeda (sub: Iheanacho 46), Tounetki (sub: Balikwisha 77).
