Moritz Jenz Scores First Bundesliga Goal As Wolfsburg Draws Heidenheim

It was a weekend of reflection and new beginnings for both VfL Wolfsburg and Celtic supporters, as the threads of football history intertwined with present-day drama on January 17 and 18, 2026. At the heart of the Bundesliga’s action, former Celtic defender Moritz Jenz made headlines by scoring his first-ever goal in Germany’s top flight, salvaging a point for Wolfsburg in a tense 1-1 draw against Heidenheim at the Volkswagen Arena. Meanwhile, Celtic fans marked the anniversary of some of the club’s most memorable moments, spanning more than a century of footballing triumphs and heartbreaks.

Jenz’s journey to his maiden Bundesliga goal has been nothing short of a European odyssey. The German centre-back, who first arrived in Scotland on loan in the latter half of the 2022–23 season, saw his time at Celtic cut short in January 2023. Despite flashes of promise in the green and white, competition in the defensive ranks intensified with Carl Starfelt’s return from injury and the arrival of Yuki Kobayashi. Jenz found himself slipping down the pecking order, prompting an early departure from Glasgow.

Following his Celtic stint, Jenz landed at Schalke on a loan-to-buy deal, only to be snapped up by Wolfsburg in June 2023 after an additional loan spell at Mainz. The deal with Lorient secured his services for four years, offering the 24-year-old a fresh platform to realize his potential in the Bundesliga. Until this weekend, Jenz’s goal-scoring exploits had been limited to his time in the Scottish Premiership, where he found the net twice. Saturday’s header was his first in Germany’s elite league—a milestone he celebrated with palpable relief and pride.

The match itself was a nervy affair for Wolfsburg, who were desperate to avoid dropping points against Heidenheim, the league’s bottom side. The visitors drew first blood, with Adrian Beck putting Heidenheim ahead and silencing the home crowd. Wolfsburg pressed for an equalizer, but frustration mounted as the minutes ticked away. It wasn’t until the 80th minute that Jenz rose above the pack, meeting Christian Eriksen’s pinpoint corner with a thunderous header that rippled the back of the net. The goal not only leveled the score but also injected fresh energy into the hosts as they pushed for a winner that ultimately eluded them.

After the final whistle, Jenz took to Instagram to share his thoughts with fans: “Happy to score my first Bundesliga goal and contribute to bring home one point, even though we expected way more. Focus is on the next game, we will work harder to bring home the result you all deserve.” His message struck a chord with supporters, especially those in Glasgow who still recall his brief but promising spell at Celtic. Some fans couldn’t help but wonder if letting Jenz go—especially to make way for Kobayashi, who failed to establish himself—was a misstep in hindsight.

As Wolfsburg look ahead to their next challenge, Jenz’s emergence as a scoring defender adds a new dimension to their season. His aerial prowess and determination have already begun to pay dividends, and with a four-year contract in place, the club will be hoping for many more decisive moments from their new recruit. For now, though, the focus remains on converting hard-fought draws into much-needed victories as the Bundesliga campaign heats up.

While Jenz was making history in Germany, Celtic fans were casting their minds back through the annals of the club’s storied past. January 18 has long been a date marked by significant events for the Glasgow giants, and this year’s anniversary was no exception. The day’s commemorations included a nod to the late Celtic historian and club legend David Potter, whose work chronicled so many of these moments.

It all began on January 18, 1896, when Celtic—already crowned League Champions and Glasgow Cup winners—suffered a 2-4 defeat to Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup. The loss, witnessed by a crowd of 20,000 at Celtic Park, effectively ended their season, with Dan Doyle (from the penalty spot) and Jimmy Blessington providing the goals for the Bhoys. The absence of suspended star Barney Battles was keenly felt, and the game’s postponement from its original date cost Celtic dearly.

Twelve years later, on January 18, 1908, Celtic faced another stern test at Fir Park, drawing 2-2 with Motherwell in a match that saw the hosts take a 2-0 lead. But late strikes from Alec McNair—whose cross deceived the goalkeeper—and Lanarkshire native Peter Somers secured a valuable point. The result was made sweeter by the news that main rivals Falkirk had lost to Third Lanark, keeping Celtic’s title hopes alive.

Fast-forward to January 18, 1964, and Celtic were back in the winner’s circle, dispatching St Mirren 3-0 at Celtic Park. On a hard, unforgiving pitch, the match turned physical, with a St Mirren player sent off and one or two Celtic stars narrowly avoiding the same fate. The points were only secure in the closing stages, thanks to late goals from Jimmy Johnstone and John Divers, building on Steve Chalmers’ opener in the first half.

Not all of the day’s memories were cause for celebration. On January 18, 1973, Celtic bid farewell to Lou Macari, who completed a £200,000 transfer to Manchester United. The talented forward had been unsettled for some time, and his performances in recent high-profile matches had come under scrutiny. The move, while lucrative, left a bittersweet taste for supporters, as the club lost one of its brightest talents to English football.

More recently, January 18, 2004, saw Celtic grind out a 1-0 victory at Tynecastle against Hearts, with Stilian Petrov netting the decisive goal in front of 13,753 fans. Tynecastle has never been an easy hunting ground for the Bhoys, but Petrov’s strike ensured all three points returned to Glasgow, adding another memorable chapter to the club’s rich history.

Across Europe and through the decades, the stories of Celtic and its former players continue to captivate football fans. As Moritz Jenz carves out his own legacy in the Bundesliga, supporters on both sides of the North Sea find themselves united by a shared passion for the beautiful game and the enduring memories it creates. With the Bundesliga season still unfolding and Celtic’s own campaign full of promise and ambition, there’s no shortage of drama on the horizon.

For Wolfsburg and Jenz, the focus now shifts to building momentum and turning hard-earned draws into wins. For Celtic, the club’s past serves as both a source of inspiration and a reminder of the highs and lows that define football’s unpredictable journey. One thing’s for sure: as long as the games keep coming, the stories will keep writing themselves.