Vfb Stuttgart Vs Celtic ends 1-0 but visitors go out on aggregate
vfb stuttgart vs celtic finished with Celtic winning 1-0 in Germany, but the visitors were eliminated 4-2 on aggregate in the UEFA Europa League tie.
Luke McCowan gave Celtic a dream start, scoring inside the opening 30 seconds when he neatly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, and that goal stood as the match-winner in a 1-0 final score in Germany.
Stuttgart had an effort from Undav that briefly looked to level the tie before VAR intervened and the equaliser was ruled out; the match ended with the aggregate score 4-2 in Stuttgart's favour.
Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner, speaking on Sportsound, said: "A win in Germany. What a way to sign off if this is his last European game. " Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill called the performance "a brilliant backs-to-the-wall performance" and added that the first leg "got away from us and we gave away some soft goals. "
Vfb Stuttgart Vs Celtic: full-time and key moments
The decisive moment came within the opening minute when Luke McCowan scored inside 30 seconds; that early strike proved to be the match's only goal in the final scoreline of Stuttgart 0-1 Celtic, leaving the aggregate at 4-2.
How VAR affected the tie
Undav briefly equalised before VAR reviewed the play and disallowed the goal; the VAR decision removed a potential turning point that would have altered the 1-0 scoreline and the aggregate arithmetic.
O'Neill's reaction and dressing-room praise
On TNT Sports, Martin O'Neill said: "The first leg got away from us and we gave away some soft goals, but tonight was a brilliant backs-to-the-wall performance. We still had chances in the game, and almost gave them a nervy few minutes for what I consider a very good team, a team capable of winning this competition. "
O'Neill also reflected on the broader run of fixtures, saying: "There'll be twists and turns, we have to go to Ibrox which we know is going to be a very difficult game for us, then we have up to go to Aberdeen, then we have to go to Ibrox again. We've created this situation for ourselves by progressing in European football. At the end of it all, that's what you want to do. European football is what big clubs in Scotland should be aiming, not for the coefficient points to be dropping out of sight. It's ridiculous. This is what it's all about. " He added more personally: "Of course, I'll miss it until they are putting a brown lid on top of me. I'm in dreamland just to get the opportunity again. "
Sinisalo, Schmeichel and squad notes
Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo was singled out by O'Neill, who said: "[Sinisalo] played brilliantly in the game, really well. That's the name all round the dressing room. He's got plenty of talent. " Sinisalo, speaking to TNT Sports about Kasper Schmeichel, said: "I watched him when I was younger and he was one of the goalies I idolised when I grew up. "
Weekend Scottish fixtures and standings context
Looking ahead to the weekend, Celtic are scheduled to visit Rangers on Sunday. Other Premiership fixtures include Hearts at home to Aberdeen and Motherwell hosting Dundee United; Hearts could be seven points clear before the Old Firm rivals meet, and Motherwell could be one point behind third-placed Celtic.
The club's communication also featured an announcement titled "Celtic team to take on VfB Stuttgart" and a promotion highlighting exclusive "SIGN FOR CELTIC" competitions with the chance to win prizes.
Celtic will now turn their focus back to domestic fixtures, beginning with the visit to Rangers on Sunday and a run of matches that O'Neill outlined — including trips to Ibrox and Aberdeen — as the squad prepares for the remainder of the season.
