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Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers praised the ‘outstanding’ impact of Kelechi Iheanacho after the striker stepped off the bench to earn his team a Europa League point in Belgrade.
Iheanacho came on as a substitute at half-time against Red Star to replace the wholly ineffectual Daizen Maeda and gave Celtic a far greater threat up front in the second half.
The 28-year-old Nigerian, who was signed on a free transfer at the end of the summer window, put the visitors ahead against the Serbian champions with a smart finish on 55 minutes.
Although Celtic were pegged back by Marko Arnautovic’s goal, the point represented a positive start to their campaign at the intimidating Rajko Mitic Stadium.
Asked about the contribution of Iheanacho, Rodgers lavished praise on the striker while also admitting that Maeda, who expressed a desire to leave the club in the summer, had been ‘nowhere near his best’.
‘I thought Kele’s goal was absolutely outstanding,’ said the Celtic boss. ‘One of his great strengths is that he can take the ball in and progress us up the pitch. He gave us a much better platform in the second half.
Kelechi Iheanacho, right, is congratulated by Celtic team-mate Colby Donovan after goal
Substitute Iheanacho slots home his goal against Red Star Belgrade in the 55th minute
Brendan Rodgers bellows his instructions to the Celtic players from the sidelines
‘Daizen wasn’t at his best, or nowhere near it, but he’s a good guy and sometimes that happens in the game. At half-time, I wanted to make that change to give us that reference at the top of the pitch.
‘We needed someone centrally to hold the ball up. I felt that we arrived in the final third in the first half and then we were loose and didn’t hold the ball up.
‘It was a tough game for us. We knew all about the venue here in Belgrade and how difficult a place it can be, but we showed great resilience.
‘I still wanted us to be a bit more proactive in the game but, overall, it was a nice first step for us in the competition.’
After the summer transfer window left his squad desperately short on quality in key areas, Rodgers seemed irked by the suggestion that this was a missed opportunity to take all three points.
‘I think there needs to be a bit of realism,’ added the Celtic boss. ‘We are where we are. Tonight is a good point for us.
Daizen Maeda, above right, was replaced by Iheanacho after Rodgers admitted the Japanese was nowhere near his best
Marko Arnautovic scores his 65th minute equaliser for Red Star in the Europa League clash
Arnautovic receives the acclaim of his team-mates after rescuing a point for Red Star
‘You’re probably not going to go and win all eight games in the group stage, so there’s a bit of realism needed there. This is a good point for us.
‘There will always be some criticism, but we want to really push forward in the competition now and try to go on a good run.’
Rodgers was full of praise for teenager Colby Donovan’s performance at right-back.
‘I thought he was absolutely outstanding,’ he told TNT Sports. ‘He was incredible in the game for a young player only making his fourth or fifth start for us.
‘He’s got personality. It’s a big thing. He’s not frightened of anything. He passes the ball forward, he runs forward, he’s aggressive, he stops crosses. That’s how he trains - he trains to that level every day and I’m so happy for him.
