Celtic almost pulled off a big win in the Europa League after their draw with Red Star Belgrade.
Celtic’s draw with Red Star means that Brendan Rodgers starts his Europa League campaign with a good away result at a difficult venue.
Kelechi Iheanacho gave Celtic a perfect start to the second half after the first 45 minutes was littered with poor passing, lazy forward play and no penetration.
And just as Celtic were comfortable in the match, Red Star equalised from a set-piece after Marko Arnautovic pounced on some defensive confusion in the heart of the Hoops back line.
Speaking post-match, Johan Mjallby states who he says was to blame for Red Star’s goal as former Celtic teammate Stiliyan Petrov disagreed.
Who was to blame for Red Star Belgrade’s goal vs Celtic, Kasper Schmeichel or Benjamin Nygren
Petrov and Mjallby were analysing the defensive confusion surrounding the goal as the big Swede pinpointed Benjamin Nygren as the man who let Celtic down defensively.
Mjallby told TNT Sports, “He’s just looking at the player that he’s going to mark. I know Benjamin Nygren is not a defensive player, you know, but he’s still there to pick up.
“So he should have done a better job because he turned his back towards the ball and didn’t have any clue where the ball was. That’s why he lost the header.
Petrov: “Do you think Kasper Schmeichel could have held his position a little bit better?”
Mjallby: “No, not really.”
Petrov: “I believe that he could have held his position. That would give him little bit more ability to react, to read that ball they play at the cross.
“But I know the goalkeeper’s that make a decision in a split second, and probably decided that the ball won’t bounce that far and he can go and block.”
Mjallby: “I think it’s just from Brendan’s point of view, the analysis point of view, it is just disappointing that they lose a goal from a set piece.
“Because then you have a chance to really set up and do your job properly, and it won’t happen.”
Celtic’s next two Europa League fixtures offers Rodgers a great chance to progress
Celtic’s next two games in the Europa League will be crucial for Rodgers to take his team out of the group phase.
Back-to-back home ties against SC Braga and Sturm Graz at Celtic Park give Rodgers a great chance to pick up six points and put the Hoops in a commanding position in the Europa League.
Indeed, no result is guaranteed but if Celtic can start both games how they did in the second half in Belgrade, then a win over these two teams is more than achievable.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
