FK Crvena Zvezda vs Celtic

Celtic have conceded just three goals in 10 games in all competitions this season – their joint-fewest ever in their opening 10 matches of a campaign, along with 1999-00 under John Barnes.

Crvena zvezda have now both scored and conceded in each of their last 10 home matches in major European competition, a run dating back to October 2022, whilst the Serbian side have also now conceded in each of their last 12, further extending their longest ever run without a home clean sheet in major European competition.

Kieran Tierney made his first appearance in major European competition for Celtic since December 2018 against FC Red Bull Salzburg, six years and 285 days ago. Only Charlie Nicholas has ever had a longer gap between appearances in major European competitions for the club (8y 319d between Nov 1982 and Sep 1991).

Crvena Zvezda have met Celtic twice before in major European competition, losing a last 16 tie 6-2 on aggregate in the European Cup in 1968-69.

Celtic have lost two of their six European meetings with Serbian (inc. games as Yugoslavia) sides previously (W3 D1), failing to win any of their three away matches during that time.

Crvena Zvezda have lost just two of their last 13 home games in the UEFA Europa League (W8 D3), winning five of their last seven since September 2021.

This will be Celtic’s first appearance in the UEFA Europa League since 2021-22, winning three of their last four games in the competition (L1) though they were still eliminated from the group stage on that occasion.

Crvena Zvezda goalkeeper Matheus has made the fifth-most starts (59) in UEFA Europa League history (2009-10 onwards) and the only goalkeeper with more starts is Rui Patrício (69).