TOP BHOYS

Hoops head home happy after battling draw in Serbia

- BY GAVIN MCCAFFERTY

HALFTIME substitute Kelechi Iheanacho fired Celtic ahead in Belgrade before the Hoops had to settle for a point against Red Star in their Europa League opener.

Iheanacho finished brilliantly as Celtic made a flying start to the second half but they were pegged back by former West Ham, Stoke and Inter Milan forward Marko Arnautovic, who scrambled the ball home following a corner.

Brendan Rodgers’ side could not get back on the front foot and would have been more than satisfied to take a 1-1 draw back from Serbia given the overall balance of play in the Rajko Mitic Stadium.

Celtic started with Daizen Maeda in the centre-forward role while 19-year-old Colby Donovan continued at right-back despite Anthony Ralston rejoining the squad following an ankle injury.

The visitors struggled to get going as an attacking force, with Maeda unable to sniff out any opportunities to get in behind or get hold of the ball.