Red Star remain one of Serbian football’s fixed reference points, founded in 1945 and still carrying their weight from Stadion Rajko Mitić. For Celtic supporters, they are the sort of opponent who need little dressing up: established, technically serious, and used to playing with domestic expectation.
Their 2026-27 season is already taking shape around the top of the SuperLiga, where they sit in first place. Recent form has been uneven rather than fragile: wins over Novi Pazar, Vojvodina and Macva followed earlier setbacks against OFK Beograd and Novi Pazar, with a goalless draw at Radnik Surdulica in between.
The squad is a sizeable one, with 36 players and an average age of 26. Its market value is around £86.5m, according to Transfermarkt, which gives a fair indication of the resources and depth behind their domestic position.
Red Star have also been involved in Champions League qualifying at the third qualifying round stage this season. As it stands, they are a strong Serbian side in mid-campaign, leading their league and relevant to Celtic as a club with European habits rather than passing novelty.
