Callum McGregor of Celtic applauds the fans after the team’s victory in the Premier Sports League Cup match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on August 15, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Celtic’s task will be to remain compact, frustrate Red Star’s creative midfielders and spring forward at pace when possession is won. Intelligent pressing on Red Star’s build-up play could also force errors, particularly as the Serbian side are not used to facing opponents with Celtic’s high intensity and counter pressing approach.
The similarities between these two clubs extend well beyond tactics. Both carry the burden of enormous domestic expectation. Celtic supporters demand titles and European progress every season, just as Red Star’s faithful measure success not only by trophies but by continental recognition. Both have suffered from the same paradox, in that they dominate at home to the point where league matches rarely prepare them for the step up in quality that European competition requires.
Sebastian Tounekti during the Partick Thistle v Celtic. Premier Sports League Cup. Sunday 21 September. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Their recent Champions League campaigns underline these parallels. Both clubs thrilled their home crowds with emphatic victories, Celtic’s five-goal demolition of Slovan Bratislava, Red Star’s five-goal rout of Stuttgart, but both ultimately fell short of the last 16 stages their fans crave. Both were also reminded that while domestic dominance breeds confidence, Europe demands something more, defensive discipline, tactical flexibility and the ability to take half-chances against top-class opponents.
For Celtic, tonight is not only an opportunity to claim a valuable away result in the Europa League. It is a chance to measure themselves against a team that mirrors their own ambitions and challenges. Red Star will likely attack with the swagger of serial champions, but Celtic have faced such atmospheres before and know how to stay calm under pressure. Celtic’s ability to exploit Red Star’s defensive gaps, stay disciplined in midfield and silence the Marakana faithful could set the tone for the entire European campaign.
Reo Hatate in action. Partick Thistle v Celtic. Premier Sports League Cup. Sunday 21 September. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
This encounter feels like more than a group-stage fixture. It is a meeting in football terms, of two proud European champions with decades of history, fervent fanbases and a shared desire to remind the continent of their pedigree.
Daizen Maeda of Celtic Ajax v Celtic, Como Cup Pre Season Football, Football, Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, Como, Italy – 24 Jul 2025Como Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia Italy. Photo Shutterstock IMAGO
The parallels are certainly striking and perhaps home advantage for Red Star will make all the difference. But Celtic’s form in the Champions League was slightly better than Red Star’s and Celtic’s defence has been frugal this season. If Celtic can keep that up, and operate from a mid-block, it could unsettle Red Star, and if we can spring with pace on the counter and be clinical in front of goal – it could well be a game that plays to Daizen Maeda’s strengths – Celtic have a chance in Belgrade of coming home with at least a point, if not a long overdue win on the road.
Niall J
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