VfB Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeneß and lead striker Ermedin Demirovic have expressed excitement about heading to Parkhead for the first league of their 2025/26 Europa League playoff leg against Celtic Glasgow. While those associated with the Bundesliga certainly wished to avoid the UEL playoffs altogether, a trip to Parkhead still remains a special treat.
Hoeneß grateful to have drawn Celtic
“It’s a team that’s back in gear after, I think, going ten matches unbeaten,” Hoeneß remarked at the Wednesday pre-match press conference. “It’s one of the toughest draws that we could have gotten, but also simultaneously one of the appealing draws we could have gotten.
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“We get a chance to play in this venerable and prestigious stadium,” Hoeneß continued. “The stadium is huge. The atmosphere will be outstanding. It will be difficult, but of course also highly motivating to play there. These are exactly the games you hope for when you qualify for this competition.“
Hoeneß and Demirovic reminisce about Parkhead
“When I was coaching the Bayern U19s, we played a Youth League game away at Celtic,” Hoeneß recalled. “We played our game in the afternoon and watched the first team that night. [Hoeneß’ former Bayern and Hoffenheim protégée] Angelo Stiller was there with me.“
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“It’s going to be something special when one arrives at one of the big stadiums one watched on TV as a child,” Demirovic noted when it was his turn to field questions. “Celtic is a highlight. The atmosphere will incredible and truly something else, but we’re used to incredible atmospheres at home too.”