Leverkusen plan to keep hold of in-demand teenage star Wirtz

Wirtz's deft chip set up Moussa Diaby's late winner in Thursday's 3-2 victory over Celtic to put Leverkusen in the Europa League's last 16.

Wirtz's ascendancy has been nothing short of meteoric since Leverkusen signed him from the Cologne Under-17 team in January 2020.

His seven goals and nine assists in 16 games for Leverkusen this season speaks volumes.

"I have learnt so much - the (senior) game is so different to youth football," the teenage attacking midfielder told. "Against big clubs like Celtic, you have to prove yourself on a different level. When you manage to make a comeback like that," he added as Leverkusen scored two late goals against the Scottish giants, "it gives you some momentum which we want to carry into the Leipzig game".