As the sun begins to set over Belgrade’s imposing Stadion Rajko Mitić on Wednesday night, FK Crvena Zvezda and Celtic—two sides steeped in continental tradition—will renew an old rivalry that last sparked on the grand stage more than three decades ago. In a clash marked by history, fervent atmospheres, and formidable form guides, Celtic arrive with the audacity to overturn recent European narratives. Here’s why the Hoops are primed to shake up Serbia.
A Fixture Etched in European Lore
The magnitude of a Europa League regular season tie between Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Belgrade) and Celtic transcends mere footballing logistics; it is a collision of historic European Cup winners whose glories shaped continental football. Red Star’s crowning moment came in 1991 with a memorable European Cup triumph, while Celtic’s immortal “Lisbon Lions” became Britain’s first champions of Europe in 1967.
But how do these two blue-bloods shape up when pitted directly against each other? The official ledger tells a tale of scarcity rather than familiarity:
- Last Official Meetings: Their continental skirmishes have been sparing; across two competitive fixtures, Celtic lead with a win and a draw, while Red Star have yet to record a victory against the Glasgow outfit.
- Goals Scored: Celtic boast a healthy 6–2 aggregate from these encounters, though these numbers are as much relics as indicators.
- Star Strikers of Yesteryear: Legendary names like Willie Wallace (Celtic's all-time continental top scorer with 13 goals) and Borivoje Kostić (Red Star’s 17) flash through the stat books, though today’s protagonists are of a new generation.
Recent Form: A Tale of Two Campaigns
Evaluting this tie demands a look at how each team prepared in their last outing:
- Crvena Zvezda: The Serbian giants are notorious for their fortress mentality at home. In their most recent Europa League fixture, Red Star leveraged their aggressive pressing and flair on the break to see off capable domestic opposition. Their intense play, especially in midfield, has made them difficult to break down, and the likes of Mirko Ivanić and Jean-Philippe Krasso have continued to conjure magic in the final third.
- Celtic: The Bhoys, meanwhile, arrive buoyed after a comprehensive win in their last league encounter. Under their current management, Celtic have developed a relentless pressing style. Kyogo Furuhashi’s darting runs, coupled with Matt O’Riley’s vision and the solidity of Cameron Carter-Vickers at the back, have seen Celtic signal a continental intent not witnessed since their last sixteen UCL run. Their domestic dominance—marked by a string of victories and a watertight defence—builds a compelling case for an away upset.
The Key Men: Protagonists for Wednesday’s Drama
FK Crvena Zvezda:
- Jean-Philippe Krasso: The Ivorian striker, now fully integrated into Red Star’s system, has been prolific in both league and continental play, shadowing defenders and exploiting spaces with pace and strength.
- Mirko Ivanić: The playmaker’s ability to unlock defences with incisive passes and late runs into the box has drawn attention from Europe’s scouts.
- Milan Borjan: The experienced goalkeeper provides leadership and has a history of big-match saves, essential when Red Star are under the cosh.
Celtic:
- Kyogo Furuhashi: The Japanese international has emerged as Celtic’s sharpest goal threat, blending movement, anticipation, and clinical finishing, often delivering when it matters most.
- Matt O’Riley: The dynamic midfielder’s box-to-box energy and goalscoring knack have seen him become the heartbeat of Celtic’s current squad.
- Cameron Carter-Vickers: The American centre-back anchors the defence, his positioning and tenacity vital when facing the intimidating Red Star crowd.
Both sides boast supporting casts primed for pivotal moments—Red Star with Aleksandar Katai’s creativity, Celtic with Daizen Maeda’s tireless pressing and Liel Abada’s unpredictability.
The Wider Stakes: More Than Just Three Points
Both teams find themselves with something to prove. Crvena Zvezda will look to leverage their imposing home record and a fervent local crowd in Belgrade. Their passion is famous—and sometimes volatile—fuel for the players, particularly in European nights under the floodlights.
For Celtic, success away from Parkhead in Europe is often cited as the final hurdle to reclaiming their continental credentials. The Hoops’ recent improvements on their travels indicate a side more stubborn, streetwise, and ambitious. After dominating domestically, the next logical step is making a Europa League statement far from Glasgow.
Why Celtic Could Stun Belgrade: Tactical and Psychological Angles
Let’s confront accepted wisdom. The received narrative is that Red Star are near-impossible to topple at home, their cauldron of noise a suffocating environment for any visitor. Yet, the numbers tell us that their continental pedigree in this decade hasn’t always equaled dynamism: recent sides have shown vulnerability when pressed high and forced into mistakes at the back.
Here, Celtic’s pressing machine could be decisive. Kyogo’s movement prevents opponents playing out, O’Riley and Callum McGregor force turnovers, and the full-backs support devastating quick counters. This approach—honed in Scotland—has been transferred with newfound composure to European away days. Unlike the tentative Celtic sides of old, this group mixes patience with precision: flexible enough to absorb pressure, brave enough to commit numbers forward.
The European Heritage Derby
Football thrives on nostalgia and expectation. In Celtic and Red Star, we witness two institutions whose legacies rest on moments of nerve, brilliance, and defiance. This match is more than just a group fixture. It's a barometer of how clubs with storied pasts adapt to the modern demands of European competition.
Victory in Belgrade wouldn’t just be three points for Celtic—it would be a statement. A message that the past is prologue, but the present belongs to those bold enough to write new history. Both sets of supporters expect nothing less.
As gladiatorial as the Stadion Rajko Mitić promises to be, the Hoops have arrived not just to participate, but to challenge the very order of things. All signs point toward Wednesday night crackling with tension, possibility, and—just maybe—a famed Glasgow triumph over the ghosts of Belgrade.