Vfb Stuttgart Vs Celtic: McCowan's 30‑second strike hands Celtic win in Germany but exit on aggregate

In the UEFA Europa League tie, vfb stuttgart vs celtic finished 0-1 at full time as Luke McCowan's opener inside the opening 30 seconds gave Celtic their first win in Germany, but the visitors were eliminated 4-2 on aggregate. The result mattered both for European pride and next weekend's domestic fixtures.

Vfb Stuttgart Vs Celtic: McCowan's lightning start in Stuttgart

Luke McCowan struck inside the opening 30 seconds, neatly slotting into the bottom corner to give Celtic what commentators called a perfect start in Stuttgart. The early goal set the tone of the match and stood as the only goal of the night, earning the visitors a 1-0 victory on the night.

Undav's controversial equaliser ruled out by VAR

Stuttgart thought they had levelled through Undav, who scored a controversial equaliser during the game, but VAR intervened and the goal was ruled out. Despite the on-field leveller, the decision left the match score unchanged and ensured Celtic's single-goal win in Germany, though they were still eliminated on a 4-2 aggregate.

Martin O'Neill applauds 'backs-to-the-wall' effort and outlines fixture run

Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill described the first leg as having "got away from us" with some "soft goals, " and called the night a "brilliant backs-to-the-wall performance. " He said the team "still had chances" 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 spoke about the club's immediate schedule, noting there will be difficult trips: "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. " He added that the club had "created this situation for ourselves by progressing in European football" and insisted "European football is what big clubs in Scotland should be aiming" rather than letting coefficient points drop. Asked if he would miss European football if this was his last such experience, he 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. "

Sinisalo praised and Pat Bonner reflects on a win in Germany

O'Neill singled out goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo for praise, saying Sinisalo "played brilliantly in the game, really well" and that his name was "all round the dressing room, " adding that "he's got plenty of talent. " Sinisalo himself spoke about facing 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. "

Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner reacted to the result, noting: "A win in Germany. What a way to sign off if this is his last European game. "

Weekend Scottish Premiership implications and remaining fixtures

The match outcome feeds directly into the domestic picture: Celtic visit Rangers on Sunday, a fixture mentioned repeatedly in build-up to the game. Premiership leaders Hearts are at home to Aberdeen and Motherwell host Dundee United this weekend. Hearts could be seven points clear before the Old Firm rivals meet, while Motherwell could be one point behind third-placed Celtic depending on results.

Full-time: Stuttgart 0-1 Celtic (4-2 aggregate) — visitors claimed their first win in Germany but were eliminated on aggregate.