Vfb Stuttgart Vs Celtic — vfb stuttgart vs celtic: McCowan strike hands visitors 1-0 but Celtc exit 4-2 on aggregate

vfb stuttgart vs celtic finished with Stuttgart 0-1 Celtic, a result that gave the visitors their first win in Germany but left them out on aggregate, 4-2. Luke McCowan’s opener arrived inside the opening 30 seconds as he neatly slotted into the bottom corner.

Early strike from McCowan

Luke McCowan struck inside the opening 30 seconds to give Celtic what one report called a "dream start" in Stuttgart. The goal was described as McCowan neatly slotting into the bottom corner and set the tone for a backs-to-the-wall performance from Celtic.

Disallowed Undav equaliser

The match also featured an episode in which Undav scored a controversial equaliser that was then ruled out by VAR. That decision preserved the 1-0 scoreline that finished the game.

Manager reaction and quotes

Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill gave a series of reactions after the match. He said: "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. "

Asked if he will miss European football if this is to be his last such experience, O'Neill replied: "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. "

O'Neill also assessed the tie and the night's performance: "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. [Sinisalo] played brilliantly in the game, really well. That's the name all round the dressing room. He's got plenty of talent. Tonight, we made some changes. Some enforced, players stepped up to the plate but 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. It wouldn't be a headache... A selection choice. To go back tonight, it was terrific. "

Goalkeeper comments and idols

Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo spoke about Kasper Schmeichel and getting past the current number one, saying: "I watched him when I was younger and he was one of the goalies I idolised when I grew up. "

Wider weekend context

The coverage noted that Celtic visit Rangers on Sunday. It also highlighted other Scottish Premiership fixtures: Premiership leaders Hearts are at home to Aberdeen, while Motherwell host Dundee United. Hearts could be seven points clear before the Old Firm rivals meet, and Motherwell could be one point behind third-placed Celtic.

Additional brief items from the evening included an unavailable live blog that read: "Sorry, this blog is currently unavailable. Please try again later. "

Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner commented on the night, saying: "A win in Germany. What a way to sign off if this is his last European game. "

Full-time: Stuttgart 0-1 Celtic (Agg: 4-2). Visitors claim first win in Germany but go out on aggregate. Thanks for your company tonight and make sure you join us over the weekend.