By Ross Pilcher

Copyright dailyrecord

After a first half to forget, Celtic stepped it up just enough to find the net. But not for long enough as they were pegged back by Red Star Belgrade to kick off their Europa League campaign with a point in Serbia. It’s not a bad outcome, but it was far from what Brendan Rodgers will have wanted to see in terms of performance. A sluggish first 45 preceded a profligate second one that could have seen the game go either way. Kelehchi Iheanacho’s introduction for Daizen Maeda at the break was the spark this game badly needed. The Nigerian got his first European goal for the Hoops after missing a big chance just before it. But the lead lasted only ten minutes as Mark Arnautovic reacted quickest to level from close range for a share of the spoils. The pundits had sympathy for the Japanese star but reckon the solution up front is now obvious. Speaking at half time, the Bulgarian said: “Red Star haven’t really done much to make it difficult for Celtic, it’s just that Celtic are too lethargic. Lack of energy, no purpose and this is something that’s really confusing because it seems like they are looking for somebody else to take opportunities., to be the leader. Everything is so simple for Red Star. They put pressure on Celtic and get in the right areas and put crosses in the box. Actually, I feel sorry for Maeda. He looks confused. ‘I don’t know what to do. I come short, the ball don’t come. I go long, the ball don’t come. Then I stand still to see what’s happening around me, but nothing is happening.’ We talked about Celtic being fluent and creating chances – he’s not getting chances. When you play as a winger, you get the ball all the time. When the team is in trouble, you’ve got the pace. Get him the ball and he’s enjoying it. But when you’re not involved, you’re not impacting the game. His movement looked lost, he looks confused. Only eight touches. If I’m a striker, I’m frustrated. It seems like he kind of accepted it, he’s got that culture of being here and doing his best. Sometimes you have to be vocal. He’s been in the team long enough to say ‘I want the ball, I want to be involved. We all know that Daizen Maeda is not the Celtic striker. He doesn’t really have the movement or the understanding of that position. If you have a player like that, we need other players to go in behind and Celtic hasn’t. Even if it’s been a 50/50 tie and the tempo’s been low, Celtic hardly created anything in the first half and that’s a worry for Brendan Rodgers. Maybe he;s not in the best shape of his career or he’s lost a bit of form. Bur he’s not a central striker. He’s not that kind of player. He can play there if Celtic are going on the counter attack and there’s going to be acres of space because of his running power. That’s why for me, he’s a winger. he showed last season he can compete against the best in Europe but centrally? No. It’s been a good European performance without the noise of everything around Celtic. I think they’ll be pleased. From a team point of view, I can only comment that Brendan Rodgers will be really pleased. Not quote dominating but they’ve stood up in big moments. Defensively looked strong, Iheanacho coming in and giving them that line up front, scoring an excellent goal and looking threatening. Young Colby Donovan put on a really good show, he’s been brilliant. Those are the sort of things you want to focus on. There will always be disappointments and I don’t think you can walk away form this game and say that Celtic dominated it. Matheus has had some really big moments, but Red Star when they needed, had the energy and deserved their goal. 1-1 is somewhat a fair result and a good start to European football. Maeda off. If he’s not injured I feel for him. A guy who was a revelation playing wide shoehorned into playing a position he’s not comfortable in… surely playing him off the right would be better. 33 goals last season. A bit of a pickle Celtic are in… Draw about right. Celtic better with Iheanacho as centre forward as they have a focal point and someone to play off… need to utilise Maeda better… Donovan mature beyond his years.