Vfb Stuttgart Vs Celtic — McCowan strike hands Celtic a win that still ends Europa run
vfb stuttgart vs celtic finished FT: Stuttgart 0-1 Celtic (4-2), a late-season victory in Germany that proved bittersweet after Celtic were eliminated on aggregate.
Fast start from McCowan set the tone
Luke McCowan gave Celtic the perfect start in Stuttgart by scoring inside the opening 30 seconds. Broadcasters highlighted that early strike as a dream start, and McCowan neatly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to put the visitors ahead in the match.
Undav’s goal ruled out by VAR
Stuttgart looked to have levelled when Undav scored a controversial equaliser, but VAR intervened and the goal was ruled out. The disallowed goal left the scoreline unchanged and preserved Celtic’s 1-0 win on the night, even as the visitors crashed out 4-2 on aggregate.
Manager ruled it a "backs-to-the-wall" performance
Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill described the tie as having "twists and turns" and warned of difficult fixtures to come: they must go to Ibrox, then to Aberdeen, and then back to Ibrox. He 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. " O'Neill added that Celtic still had chances and almost made Stuttgart nervy against "a very good team, a team capable of winning this competition. "
Sinisalo praised and reflects on role models
Goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo received strong praise from 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. " Speaking to TNT Sports, Sinisalo reflected on his influences and said he watched Kasper Schmeichel when he was younger and that Schmeichel was one of the goalies he idolised when he grew up.
Voices from the post-match coverage
Post-match reaction described the result as a historic but bittersweet win in Germany. Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner said: "A win in Germany. What a way to sign off if this is his last European game. " James McFadden joined Bonner in assessing how the Europa League campaign ended, with discussion focusing on the result ahead of Sunday's Old Firm clash.
Fixture fallout: domestic games and title permutations
Coverage repeatedly reminded viewers that Celtic visit Rangers on Sunday. Other domestic fixtures highlighted for the weekend included Hearts at home to Aberdeen and Motherwell hosting Dundee United. It was noted that Hearts could be seven points clear before the Old Firm rivals meet, and that Motherwell could be one point behind third-placed Celtic.
O'Neill said changes had been made for the match, some enforced, and praised the players who stepped up: "we didn't throw in two 16-year-olds... these boys have played in the team and have shown they're capable of winning games. " He added that selection for upcoming matches "wouldn't be a headache... A selection choice. To go back tonight, it was terrific. "
vfb stuttgart vs celtic delivered a late flourish but not the result Celtic needed across the tie. The squad now turns to the domestic calendar, with the trip to Rangers on Sunday the next confirmed fixture and O'Neill pointing to further away matches at Ibrox and Aberdeen on the immediate horizon.
