SK Sturm Graz defender Emir Karic revealed that he will be living out a childhood dream by playing at Celtic Park this evening, describing the venue as having one of the most electric atmospheres in Europe…
Emir Karic of SK Sturm Graz celebrates his goal during UEFA Europa League league phase match at Merkur Arena, Graz. SK Sturm Graz v Rangers – UEFA Europa League – League Phase – Merkur Arena, Styria, Austria – 02 October 2025, Graz Merkur Arena Styria Austria Photo IMAGO/Shutterstock
Celtic continue their Europa League journey tonight as they face the Austrian champions in their third group stage match. It is a must-win game for Brendan Rodgers’ side who have accumulated one point from two matches.
Sturm Graz sit 22nd in the elongated 36-team format following a 2-1 victory over theRangers earlier this month. They were beaten 2-0 by Midtjylland in Denmark on the opening matchday.
Now, Sturm defender Karic expressed his excitement about getting the chance to play at Celtic Park.
Celtic vs Sturm Graz,Austria ,22 October 2025 – UEFA Europa League, Celtic Glasgow vs SK Sturm Graz, preview, training Sturm. Image shows Tomi Horvat, Dimitri Lavalee and Emir Karic Sturm. Photo GEPA pictures/ Chris Bauer (IMAGO)
Speaking via Daily Record, he said: “The atmosphere at Celtic Park is one of the best in all of Europe. The thought of it makes you start singing ‘You’ll never walk alone.’ Even when the draw for the Europa League’s league phase was made, I hoped we’d play Celtic away. The draw was kind. I’m incredibly excited.”
Karic added: “I was actually in Glasgow with my school. I saw Rangers at Ibrox and also watched a Scottish international match at Hampden Park. So for me, all I am missing is Celtic Park. Remembering those games in Glasgow still gives me goosebumps all over my body. The Scottish fans have a crazy mentality and are different from those in all of Europe. But you have to experience it once.”
The 28 year-old SK Sturm Graz defender continued: “We have beaten theRangers in the Europa League already and that proved we are a good team. We always believe we can win games.
“I’m loving playing in the Europa League too because there is nothing better than playing a lot, training very little and gaining a lot of great experiences, points and victories in the process.”
With Celtic struggling both domestically and in Europe, the Austrians will see it as a massive opportunity to leave Glasgow with three points.
Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers, Dundee v Celtic. Dens Park, Dundee, 19 October 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace
Anything less than a victory for Rodgers’ men could spell trouble for the Hoops in the Europa League. With arguably Celtic’s three toughest matches in the competition still to come, it really is a must-win game tonight.
Sadly, for Karic he will not get to live the full Celtic Park European night experience given the empty seats that will be dotted around the stadium as fan dissatisfaction regarding the board and club continues to grow as Celtic fans believe that the failings in the Celtic boardroom robbed the support of another Champions League campaign.
Conor Spence
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Celtic in the Thirties, Vol 1 & 2 by Matt Corr. Published by Celtic Star Books – Click on image to orderCeltic in the Thirties by Celtic Historian Matt Corr is published in two volumes by Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order your copies…
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