Red Star Belgrade captain is fearful of Celtic’s reputation after ‘huge’ Europa League fan plea

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Celtic have a big Europa League tie against Red Star Belgrade coming up midweek.

The Parkhead club will be keen to right the wrongs of Celtic’s Champions League exit with a win in Belgrade next week.

Celtic’s foray into the Europa League will be the Parkhead side’s first since Ange Postecoglou almost took his team out of the group stage in his first season at the club.

And it seems that Celtic’s reputation in Europe has Red Star captain Mirko Ivanic worried as he issued a fan plea ahead of the big Wednesday night game.

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Red Star Belgrade captain Mirko Ivanic in awe of ‘huge challenge’ Celtic offer

Red Star are Celtic’s first opponent in this season’s Europa League campaign and after beating Partizan in the Belgrade Derby, club captain Ivanic seems wary of the Parkhead club.

Ivanic told the Daily Record, “That was another important three points for us. It was never going to be an easy game and it certainly wasn’t.

“We should have scored another goal late on to make it 3-1 and make it easier for ourselves, but we will happily take the win.

“Now we have a few days to rest and prepare for Celtic.

“I would urge our supporters to turn out for this in great numbers because it will be a huge challenge for us – Celtic are a very good, established club.

“I don’t think we could be any more full of confidence going into this, though. It has been a great start to our league season.

“We have a big squad – enough for two teams really and we are all ready to play Celtic.”

What happened the last time Celtic faced Red Star Belgrade in Europe

Celtic haven’t faced Red Star Belgrade in over 50 years in a European competition.

The last time the two teams met was in the 1968/69 European Cup second-round stage.

Here is how Celtic fared:

• November 13, 1968: Celtic 5 v 1 Red Star Belgrade
• November 27, 1968: Red Star Belgrade 1 v 1 Celtic

Celtic were knocked out in the quarter-final stage by AC Milan after drawing the first leg at the San Siro 0-0 then losing the return game at Celtic Park 1-0.