How 'outstanding' Iheanacho sparked Celtic improvement

The difference was stark when Kelechi Iheanacho took over from Daizen Maeda at half-time in Belgrade.

Iheanacho provided the focal point up front that Celtic sorely lacked in the first half of the Europa League opener where Maeda was miles below his best.

Within minutes of his introduction, Iheanacho had forced a fine save from goalkeeper Matheus before firing the visitors ahead with a brilliant touch and finish from Benjamin Nygren's pass.

Maeda departed the scene having touched the ball just seven times, including once in the Red Star box, in an ineffective 45 minutes. The Japan striker, whose wish to leave Celtic was thwarted in the summer, made just four passes and his only other contribution of note was being caught offside twice.

Manager Brendan Rodgers said: "He wasn't at his best, or nowhere near it. However, he's a good guy and sometimes that happens in the game.

"I could have made a couple of changes at half-time. I wanted to make that one certainly to give us that greater reference at the top of the pitch. I thought Kels coming in was very, very good for us.

"We needed someone centrally to hold the ball up. It's one of Kels' great strengths. So he gave us a much better platform in the second half."

Iheanacho provided a striking contrast, registering three shots - all on target - as well as 14 touches, three of which came in the hosts' box, and seven accurate passes out of eight, highlighting his link-up ability.

Former Celtic winger Aiden McGeady hailed the 28-year-old's performance as "outstanding", while ex-midfielder Stiliyan Petrov said he provided a "different dimension" to Celtic's play.

Iheanacho's arrival on a free earlier this month was somewhat underwhelming amid fan fury at Celtic's transfer window and Champions League failure.

But as the Nigeria international continues to build fitness, he is showing encouraging signs he is ready for the mantle of being Celtic's main striker.