Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness has sent a warning to Celtic ahead of the second leg of their Europa League play-off, insisting his side will not ease off despite carrying a commanding advantage into the return fixture.
Celtic were on the end of a humbling 4–1 defeat at Parkhead last week, a result that left their hopes of progressing hanging by a thread and extended their wait for a knockout tie win in European competition.
With a three-goal cushion in hand, there was some hope among supporters that Stuttgart might rotate or field a weakened side in Germany. Those hopes have now been firmly dashed.
Hoeness has made it clear that Stuttgart will approach the tie as if it were still finely balanced, selecting his strongest available team at the MHP Arena.
“It’s half-time, it’s not over yet,” Hoeness said to the Herald.
“When you play a football match, you don’t stop after 45 minutes and it’s the same here.
“We had a good result and we’re confident that we’re able to go into the next round. My colleague on the other side has experienced a lot in his career and that’s why he’s able to tell his guys that everything is possible.
“We don’t underestimate our opponent tomorrow. We want to win because it’s important for us to go to the next round, but in the best case, we will win, and that’s what we want to do.
“It will give us a good feeling and help us to get to the next games in a positive mindset and that’s why we want to show our best performance tomorrow.
“You will see it with the team that we will play that we don’t think it’s over yet.”
Any hopes of pulling off a remarkable comeback will have to come against the strongest Stuttgart side available. After the final whistle in Germany, attention will quickly turn back home, with preparations beginning immediately for Sunday’s Glasgow derby at Ibrox.
Rangers were knocked out of the Europa League in the league phase, so have had no midweek match as they prepare for a massive derby at Ibrox. It’s the first of two meetings in the early stages of March.
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