Celtic begin their Europa League campaign against Red Star Belgrade.
The Hoops are in the Europa League for the first time since the 2021/22 season and the Serbian giants won’t be an easy opponent.
Red Star have offered free tickets to fans who have donated blood, however, Timi Elsnik admitted he doesn’t know much about Celtic.
Brendan Rodgers is keen to keep the focus on what happens on the pitch as opposed to what is going on away from it, and he knows that he is facing a side who are formidable at home.
Red Star Belgrade hold incredible Europa League record
There aren’t many trips more daunting than heading to the Marakana.
Over 50,000 will be packed into the stands, singing non-stop for 90 minutes.
That has contributed to their excellent home record in the competition, which has seen Red Star lose only two of their last 13 home games in the Europa League.
The BBC have added that five of the last seven home games in the tournament have also ended in victory.
Celtic have struggled against Serbian sides in the past so face a tall order to amend that.
Celtic are getting back into their groove again
After leaving the disappointment of the transfer window behind them, the Hoops now look like they’re beginning to find their stride.
Winger Sebastian Tounekti has impressed early doors and the likes of Benjamin Nygren have also begun chipping in with goals too.
Wins against Kilmarnock and Partick Thistle were expected, but they also showed a remarkable improvement in performance.
Grinding out a win will be tough, but the Bhoys are very capable of coming back with three points.
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