Sturm Graz manager Jurgen Saumel has suggested the Celtic Park atmosphere on Thursday will make the Europa League tie ‘a different kettle of fish’.
The Hoops host the Austrian Bundesliga champions and current league leaders this week on matchday three of the league phase.
Celtic are yet to win in the Europa League having drawn the opening encounter with Red Star Belgrade and lost disappointingly to Braga in Glasgow.
For Sturm Graz, they were beaten by FC Midtjylland before inflicting a 2-1 defeat on Rangers at the Merkur Arena.
They played on Sunday in the Austrian Bundesliga and despite some suspect defending, Samuel’s side earned a thrilling 4-3 victory to stay clear at the top of the league.
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Jurgen Saumel addresses Celtic vs Sturm Graz after 4-3 win
Saumel understands that if Sturm Graz want anything from the clash against the Bhoys, they will need to be tighter at the back.
In addition, he thinks playing Celtic in Glasgow is an entirely different situation from anything they’ve faced so far this season due to the stadium’s famed atmosphere on European nights.
Speaking after the win over FC Blau-Weiß Linz, Saumel said: “We know we have to improve as a team for Thursday. A tough challenge awaits us against Celtic. We lost concentration when we were 3-1 up and allowed them back into the game.
“When we play Celtic, we cannot afford to take our foot off the gas like that. I’m an attack-minded coach, but we also need to do the basics right and defend better.
“We want to win as many games as possible, but I also know that the next game at Celtic will be a different kettle of fish, because the stadium factor comes into play.”
Saumel and Sturm Graz shouldn’t fear Celtic Park
Many, many world class players over the years have played at Celtic Park and noted how incredible the atmosphere is on European nights.
Lionel Messi said the stadium created the ‘best atmosphere in Europe’, while Cristiano Ronaldo felt the Celtic fans were ‘incredible’ on one of his visits with Manchester United.
Sadly though, that fervour and noise won’t be heard on Thursday when Sturm Graz come to town.
Celtic fans are embroiled in dispute with the board and that will certainly dampen the atmosphere, coupled with the fact the Hoops are in poor form.
The stadium will be nowhere near a sell-out, so the environment Sturm Graz will play in is probably not what they are expecting at the moment.
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