A red card, penalty kick, four goals and a last-minute leveller - just a normal first matchday on the job at Standard Liege for former Celtic boss Ronny Deila.
After a successful period coaching in America's MLS with New York City, the Norwegian returned to European football management with Belgian First Division side Standard Liege earlier this summer. They kicked off their campaign for the 22/23 term on Friday night against Gent and it unfolded in dramatic circumstances.
There was an early setback for Celtic's ex-Nordic leader when left-back Alexandro Calut got two yellow cards in the first 15 minutes but they managed to take the lead before half-time through a Selim Amallah penalty. It was all going to plan with 10 men up until the hour mark when Gent hit back via Darko Lemajic and the Serbian forward's second on the night 11 minutes from time looked one step too far.
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But Deila's men roared back and in the 89th minute restored parity through Noe Dussenne to take home a point from the dramatic match.
It was a rock and roll introduction for the 46-year-old as he looks to steer Standard Liege back up the table after a poor 2021/22 season.
Deila took charge at Celtic in 2014 and won two Premiership titles plus a League Cup before departing in 2016.
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