Red Star Belgrade host Celtic in Europa League group opener

Red Star Belgrade host Celtic at the Rajko Mitic Stadium on Wednesday night, kickoff 8pm BST, as both clubs begin their Europa League group campaigns after falling at the final Champions League playoff hurdle. The Serbian champions and the Scottish titleholders meet in what promises to be a heated encounter in front of a large and vocal crowd, with both teams eager to convert European disappointment into a positive start in the second-tier competition.

Both clubs dropped into the Europa League after narrow exits from Champions League qualifying. Red Star were eliminated by Pafos on aggregate, while Celtic lost to Kairat Almaty on penalties after two goalless legs. Each side has responded strongly domestically. Red Star have won all seven of their SuperLiga fixtures and have recorded 10 wins, two draws and one defeat across 13 matches this season, scoring prolifically in recent weeks. Celtic arrive unbeaten in all competitions with six wins and three draws from nine games, and they reached the Scottish League Cup semifinals at the weekend.

Team news will shape the contest. Celtic head coach Brendan Rodgers named a starting lineup that includes Kasper Schmeichel in goal and Kieran...