MusaStuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeneß was delighted with his team’s convincing 4-1 victory over Celtic at Parkhead, but he was careful not to get carried away, stressing that the contest is far from decided.
The German side left Glasgow with a firm grip on the tie thanks to a ruthlessly efficient performance. They capitalized on Celtic’s errors and looked dangerous every time they broke forward. Despite the commanding lead, Hoeneß was in no mood to declare the job complete.
The Stuttgart boss is fully aware of the unpredictability of European competition, where a quick start in the return leg can change everything. He’s also mindful of the experience standing in the opposition dugout. With Martin O’Neill on the Celtic sideline, Hoeneß expects a determined fightback in Germany and made it clear his team must stay alert.
“It’s not finished yet,” he said via CBS Sports Golazo. “The coach on the other side has seen a lot in the game, and his team won’t give up. We can’t assume they will. That’s why we’ll be ready. We’ve got an important league game now, and then we’ll prepare for the next leg. We want to advance, and if we keep the right mentality, there should be no question about it. That will be key.”
For Celtic, the task looks daunting. Overcoming a three-goal deficit away from home is a tall order—especially given how the first leg unfolded. Still, there were moments when the hosts moved the ball well, particularly down the flanks, and caused Stuttgart some concern.
Stuttgart will return home with plenty of confidence. Their high press rattled Celtic in Glasgow, and their attackers found space too easily once the game opened up.
Hoeneș understands how quickly a two-legged tie can turn. He also knows that O’Neill has been in the game long enough to believe in one last push.
For Celtic, the margin for error is now razor-thin. They’ll need defensive solidity and clinical finishing if chances come their way. The odds are heavily against them—but as the Stuttgart manager himself admitted, it’s not over yet.
Musa
