Celtic delivered a stunning victory away to Stuttgart, earning their first-ever triumph on German soil, yet the result was not enough to keep them in the Europa League knockout play-offs.
Luke McCowan struck after just 28 seconds, offering hope to a heavily rotated side still reeling from last week’s 4-1 loss.
Stuttgart thought they had responded when Chris Fuhrich found the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside. Deniz Undav also had a goal disallowed for the same reason.
Despite mounting pressure, Celtic preserved their advantage to secure a morale-boosting result ahead of a crucial Old Firm double header.
Defensive resolve under pressure
The visitors’ blistering opening proved decisive, although much of the contest was played in Celtic’s half. By the 25th minute, McCowan’s early effort remained their only attempt, while Stuttgart had already made 18 entries into the final third.
At the break, the Scottish side still held a 1-0 lead thanks to a disciplined and determined defensive display.
The pattern continued after the interval. Five minutes into the second half, Celtic had completed only five passes, and they managed just four touches inside Stuttgart’s penalty area throughout that period.
Even so, the rearguard stood firm. Dane Murray impressed and produced a crucial block to deny Undav from close range, while Viljami Sinisalo, deputising for the rested Kasper Schmeichel, made several important saves to maintain the clean sheet.
Selection dilemmas before Ibrox showdown
Manager Martin O’Neill now faces key decisions ahead of Sunday’s league clash at Ibrox.
In defence, he must choose between Brentford loanee Ben Arthur and Murray, who enhanced his case with a composed performance.
Goalkeeper selection is also under scrutiny. Schmeichel has faced criticism, while Sinisalo’s assured display will intensify calls for a change.
Further forward, the counter-attacking trio of Daizen Maeda, McCowan, and Junior Adamu posed a threat throughout. Maeda nearly doubled the lead early on but could not connect with Adamu’s delivery.
Reflecting on the performance, O’Neill praised his squad’s commitment and spirit. He acknowledged the challenge of facing a team capable of winning the competition and credited his players for their determination. With little time to prepare for Rangers, he insisted the team would regroup quickly and highlighted that the players deserved immense recognition for their efforts.