Celtic started their Europa League account by picking up a point in Belgrade on Wednesday night.
Kelechi Iheanacho opened the scoring after 55 minutes, but Celtic were pegged back by a Marko Arnautovic goal from a corner.
67 Hail Hail looked at the five things we learned from Celtic’s performance in Belgrade.
- READ MORE: Benjamin Nygren in tears as journalist mocks Rangers at Celtic vs Red Star Belgrade press conference
Daizen Maeda shouldn’t play as a striker in Europe
On the domestic scene, it’s fine playing Daizen Maeda as a number nine, but not on the European stage. He needs to stay on the left or be pushed towards the right.
The Japan star was hooked at half-time by Brendan Rodgers, and rightly so, because the only time you saw him in the game was after a bad first touch or being caught offside.
- Maeda’s offsides vs Belgrade: 2
- Passes: 4
- Touches: 7
- Unsuccessful touches: 1
Kelechi Iheanacho’s signing has been a blessing in disguise
Let’s be honest, when Iheanacho signed for Celtic, it was met with deflation and frustration by the Celtic supporters because of how it came about.
But, as of this current moment, this free transfer is looking like a seriously good signing, and his goal off the bench in Belgrade proved that.
Iheanacho’s first touch, following Benjamin Nygren’s pass, was a thing of beauty, and then he did his job by opening the scoring for Celtic, as his arrival and signing is proving to be a blessing in disguise.
Hyunjun Yang has no excuses at Celtic now
There was a lot of talk about Hyunjun Yang leaving during the summer, with Birmingham City knocking on the door, and a deal seemingly being on the verge of happening.
Going by his performance in Belgrade, he was probably better off leaving because there are no excuses here, regarding his flat and uninspiring display.
It was no surprise that, after the hour mark, Yang was subbed off, without really being a threat or showing that he would take the next step in his Celtic career.
Reo Hatate is lucky to be starting
One man who is better than most on his day is Reo Hatate, but he lost the ball far too many times against Red Star.
His performances in the Champions League qualifiers were equally poor, and with someone like Arne Engels sitting on the bench, then just like Yang, he is lucky to be starting right now.
- Hatate’s unsuccessful touches: 3
- Passes: 35
- Passing accuracy: 71.4%
Colby Donovan looks at home
Alistair Johnston’s injury has proven to be a blessing in disguise, as well as Anthony Ralston’s, because it has opened the door for Colby Donovan to start games.
He looked strong against Partick Thistle over the weekend, but this Europa League game was a different test altogether, and he is playing like he belongs because he was outstanding.
Hopefully, when the senior right-backs return, fans still get to see more of Donovan because he deserves more minutes from here on in.
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