Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness has admitted Celtic represents the toughest possible test his side could have faced in the Europa League knockout play-off round.
The Hoops are hosting the side who sit fourth in the Bundesliga on Thursday night under the lights.
It will be a special night for Martin O’Neill, with it his 1000th game as manager – his 301st at Celtic. That experience has been hailed by his opposition number.
He’s lost just once in two spells in the Hoops dugout this season, that came in this competition away to Midtjylland; apart from that, he’s unbeaten.
It does make you think about where Celtic would be if the club hadn’t brought in Nancy, but that’s all hindsight.
Speaking ahead of the first leg, the Stuttgart manager pointed to Celtic’s turbulent campaign, but insisted that recent form and experience make them a dangerous opponent, and one of the toughest draws they could have got.
“I think they are a team who have had a really turbulent season with a lot of changes in coaches,” Hoeness said to The Celtic Way. “The current coach is there for a second time this season, he has a special history here.
“He’s (O’Neill) a very experienced coach. It’s a team who have really found form again recently after ups and downs this season.
“They’ve played a lot of games but have now gone 10 games undefeated. It’s one of the toughest draws we could’ve got but it’s also one of the most exciting.
“We’ll have the opportunity to play in this historic stadium. I have good memories from here several years ago, it has a really special energy that can be unleashed when the teams harness the energy from the fans.
“The noise that they make, it gives the team power and energy and we’ll have to be able to counter that.
“But we’re prepared for the task ahead. It’s going to be really challenging, but these are the games you want to be competing in when you’re competing in Europe.
“We’re going to try and put ourselves in a good position heading into next week.”
It’s set to be a well-fought, tough match tomorrow. Celtic will be without Arne Engels, who is injured, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who isn’t registered for the Europa League. He was signed after the squad deadline. That’ll likely see Reo Hatate start for the Hoops, looking to improve his form.
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