Celtic return to European action on Thursday night, desperate for a spark that has so far eluded them this season.
Brendan Rodgers’ side head into the clash with Sturm Graz without a win in the Europa League and, perhaps even more worryingly, without a goal in six games of the season.
Saturday’s defeat to Dundee only deepened the sense of frustration among supporters, with banners and protests continuing to underline the growing disconnect between the stands and the boardroom.
The mood around Celtic Park has turned bleak and the visit of the Austrian champions arrives at a time when the team’s confidence appears to be at its lowest ebb under Rodgers.
What should have been a great European tie under the lights now carries the air of a must-win test, not only to revive the club’s continental campaign but also to ease the tension that’s gripped the fanbase in recent weeks.
To get a clearer picture of what Celtic will face, CeltsAreHere spoke to Austrian football expert Tom Middler, host of The Other Bundesliga and The Sweeper podcasts, as well as a reporter for UEFA and a commentator for various leagues.
Middler has spent over a decade covering the Austrian game and believes Celtic are in for a fast, unpredictable encounter against a team that “never knows when to stop attacking.”
“They’re a very attacking side under Jürgen Säumel,” he explained. “They look to get the ball forward quickly, play around the corner, in behind the defence, and do it with as few touches as possible. They’ll create plenty of shots but give away a lot too, it makes for the kind of game you can’t really read which way it’s going to go.”
That philosophy, Middler says, makes Sturm Graz a fascinating opponent. They come to Glasgow full of energy, and while their defensive record shows vulnerability, their commitment to going forward gives them belief they can cause Celtic problems.
“The door is slightly ajar for Sturm Graz,” Middler noted. “They’re the outsiders, but they’ll be really up for it. It’s a massive occasion for them, and that makes it difficult for Celtic, especially as they’re not playing the kind of football they’d like to be playing right now.”
Interestingly, Middler sees clear echoes of Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic in the way Säumel sets up his team. The comparison is bound to intrigue supporters who fondly remember the Australian’s relentless, attacking brand of football.
“It’s a good kind of football to watch, exciting, high-tempo, and attacking,” Middler said. “The Postecoglou parallel is a good one. Säumel’s team can’t just sit on a one-goal lead; they keep going, they keep attacking. You never know how many goals they’ll score or how many they’ll allow.”
That relentless approach has kept Sturm top of the Austrian Bundesliga despite inconsistent performances. They may not be as polished as last season, but they’ve found ways to win and arrive in Glasgow full of confidence after a recent victory over Rangers in the league stage.
“The Rangers game could’ve gone 4-3 either way,” Middler recalled. “Sturm gave them a lot of problems. They’re capable of playing on the front foot, even away from home, and they won’t just sit in and defend for a point at Celtic Park.”
Celtic, meanwhile, continue to search for rhythm and identity. Injuries have played their part — with Daizen Maeda ruled out and Alistair Johnston only just back to full fitness — but performances have been the bigger concern. A lack of cutting edge in the final third, combined with defensive lapses and a nervous atmosphere inside the stadium, has turned every fixture into a test of nerve.
Rodgers has called for calm, but the numbers speak for themselves. No wins, one goal, and growing unrest mean Thursday night represents a crucial moment in the season. Victory won’t erase the wider issues, but it would at least offer respite from the negativity that has taken hold.
Whatever happens, Tom Middler expects drama: “It should be a good one. It’s a huge night for Sturm Graz, and that adds an extra element. For them, it’s an incredible occasion. For Celtic, it’s a team they feel they should be beating, but it won’t be easy.”
As European nights go, this one feels like a crossroads. Under the lights at Parkhead, with pressure mounting and patience wearing thin, Celtic must find a way to rediscover itself.
Watch the full interview on CeltsAreHere Extra Time
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