Key Points

• Assistant coach of Ferencvaros, Leonardo, confirmed that the club hasn’t considered their UEFA Europa League clash against Celtic.
• The Budapest based club is concentrating on their Hungarian Cup match against the third division team, Debreceni Egyetemi.
• He insisted that preparation against Celtic can only start once the Hungarian Cup match is won.
• Ferencvaros has a policy of considering each match equal in importance and aiming at winning all of them.
• Ferencvaros is set to take on Celtic in Glasgow in their first match in the league phase of the Europa League.

Glasgow (Glasgow Express) September 12, 2026 – Ferencvaros will approach their upcoming Europa League fixture against Celtic with the exact same focus and methodology that they apply to domestic lower-tier opponents, according to the club’s coaching staff.

How are Ferencvaros approaching their Europa League match against Celtic?

As reported by staff of The Herald, Ferencvaros assistant manager Leonardo has revealed that the Hungarian side has completely sidelined thoughts of their trip to Glasgow while immediate domestic commitments remain on the horizon. The Hoops are scheduled to play their inaugural game in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League this coming Thursday, hosting the Budapest outfit at Celtic Park. However, before setting foot in Scotland, Ferencvaros must first navigate a tricky Hungarian Cup tie against third-tier outfit Debreceni Egyetemi.

Addressing the media regarding the fixture backlog, assistant manager Leonardo insisted that the squad’s immediate concentration is anchored solely in domestic action. As reported by The Herald, Leonardo stated that:

“We have not even discussed the match against Celtic yet. And we won’t until the cup tie against Debreceni is over. We will start working on Celtic soon and study the videos we have of them.”

Why is preparation identical for both domestic and European fixtures?

The coaching staff at the Budapest club maintains that switching focus between tiers of competition does not alter their structural preparation. Leonardo explained that the methodology remains rigid regardless of whether they face lower-division opposition or high-profile European contenders. As reported by The Herald, Leonardo elaborated:

“So our preparation is the same for this tie as it would be for any other match. Everything is the same as we will be preparing for, for example, against Celtic. Our goal at Ferencvaros is to win every game we play.”

This systematic outlook ensures that players do not look past domestic lower-league obligations, keeping morale and tactical discipline steady ahead of high-intensity continental nights in Glasgow.

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Background of the particular development

The fixture between Celtic and Ferencvaros marks another chapter in a history of competitive European encounters between the two clubs. Over recent seasons, both sides have locked horns in various UEFA tournaments, including memorable battles in both the Champions League qualifiers and the Europa League group stages. Ferencvaros secured qualification into the current league phase following a strong domestic campaign in Hungary, whilst Celtic enter the competition eager to establish momentum on the European stage.

The strategic decision by Ferencvaros to block out noise regarding their trip to Glasgow and focus entirely on their domestic cup tie could influence both teams’ mental approaches on Thursday. For Celtic and their supporters, facing an opponent that treats the fixture with standardized, routine preparation might strip away some of the traditional psychological intimidation associated with European nights. However, it also highlights a clinical, highly professional mindset within the Hungarian camp. This development could translate into an extremely disciplined and organized defensive display from the visitors, testing Celtic’s tactical patience as the Scottish side looks to secure a vital opening victory in front of a home crowd.