Overview

• Celtic drew 1-1 with Red Star Belgrade in their Europa League opener after failing to qualify for the Champions League.
• Daizen Maeda was substituted at half-time following a poor first half, and Kelechi Iheanacho came on to score and lift the performance.
• Maeda asked to leave in the summer but stayed, with earlier reports valuing him up to £25 million and fresh coverage questioning how much that figure has slipped.
• Neil Lennon questioned Maeda’s application and urged him to refocus, while backing the board despite fan discontent over recent decisions.
• Brendan Rodgers now has a clear in-house option up front, intensifying scrutiny of Maeda’s role and minutes in the coming matches.