VfB Stuttgart striker backs Celtic star to reach highest level in football

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The Celtic Star

·19 February 2026

VfB Stuttgart striker backs Celtic star to reach highest level in football

VfB Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirović has backed Arne Engels to reach the very highest level in the game…

Ermedin Demirovic of VfB Stuttgart reacts during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between VfB Stuttgart and BSC Young Boys at Stuttgart Arena on January 29, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Demirović – who lined up alongside the Belgium international during their time together at FC Augsburg – spoke highly of Engels’ potential.

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Now with Stuttgart, Demirović is in Glasgow ahead of tonight’s Europa League knockout play-off clash against Martin O’Neill’s side.

Arne Engels of Celtic. Falkirk v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Falkirk Stadium, 14 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Although he will not come up against Engels – who is sidelined with an injury expected to keep him out until late March – the striker is still keen to catch up with his former teammate and praised his ability and character.

Speaking via The Herald, Demirović said: “If you ask him, I think he will tell you the same. I told him from the first day on that he’s a very, very good and very talented player, and he needed that step, I think, to a bigger club, and I think he’s showing everyone that he can play in the top leagues and top teams.”

Chema Andres of VfB Stuttgart celebrates the team’s third goal with teammate Ermedin Demirovic during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between VfB Stuttgart and BSC Young Boys at Stuttgart Arena on January 29, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

“And, of course, I’m following him, I’ve always kept in touch with him, and I’m very happy for him that he’s playing like he’s playing now. I’m like a little fan of him, because he’s a really good guy.”

“He texted me straight after the draw, so I was happy about it, to see him again.”

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill looks on during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on February 01, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Martin O’Neill reckons Celtic will ‘go for it’ against Stuttgart tonight.

He said: “Right, OK. Well, that’s a major test for us tomorrow. If you’d been having a conversation with me, which you might have done, after Midtjylland, we’d have got long odds about being here this evening, for a start.”

“What I’ve said in the past, we went to Feyenoord, got a great result there. Fought the 10 men for about 60 minutes in the match against Bologna.”

Celtic FC line up during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Bologna FC 1909 and Celtic FC at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on January 22, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“So I just didn’t want those games not to count for something. So we beat Utrecht and we’re here, so we might as well give it a go. Stuttgart are flying at this moment.”

“They’re fourth in the Bundesliga. They’re in a Champions League position. I’ve had a look at them. They’re obviously very strong physically. We’ve got a lot of good players playing for them. So they’ll be difficult games for us. But while we’re there, let’s go for it.”

Conor Spence

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order