Vfb Stuttgart Vs Celtic: Comeback, controversy and Celtic exit

vfb stuttgart vs celtic produced a dramatic opening and a controversial moment, as Luke McCowan scored inside the opening 30 seconds and an Undav effort was ruled out by VAR. The match ended Stuttgart 0-1 Celtic, with Celtic claiming their first win in Germany but exiting 4-2 on aggregate.

Vfb Stuttgart Vs Celtic

Luke McCowan "neatly slots into [the] bottom corner" inside the opening half-minute to give the visitors the perfect, near-instant start and what was described as a "dream start". That early strike proved decisive on the night, but not enough over two legs.

Undav equaliser ruled out

Stuttgart had an apparent equaliser from Undav that briefly threatened to swing the tie, but VAR intervened and the goal was ruled out. The sequence left questions and frustration as the match settled with a single decisive goal on the night.

Manager and player reactions

Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill reflected on the tie and the night, saying: "The first leg got away from us and we gave away some soft goals, but tonight was a brilliant backs-to-the-wall performance. " He added: "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 commented on squad selection and the players who stepped up: "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. " On the wider run of fixtures he cautioned about a testing schedule: "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. "

When asked whether he would miss European football if this proved to be his last experience, O'Neill said: "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. "

Goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo spoke about one of his role models when asked about the current number one: "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 reflected on the result and its timing: "A win in Germany. What a way to sign off if this is his last European game. "

Domestic context and upcoming fixtures

Commentary from the coverage noted domestic fixtures looming: "We might have mentioned that Celtic visit Rangers on Sunday a few times. " Other Premiership fixtures highlighted included Premiership leaders Hearts at home to Aberdeen and Motherwell hosting Dundee United. The night’s implications on the table were outlined: Hearts could be seven points clear before the Old Firm rivals meet, and Motherwell could be one point behind third-placed Celtic.

Closing note and sign-off

Full-time: Stuttgart 0-1 Celtic (4-2 aggregate). Celtic leave Germany with a first win on German soil but are eliminated on aggregate. "Thanks for your company tonight and make sure you join us over the weekend, " concluded the coverage.

vfb stuttgart vs celtic finished with a single match winner, an overturned equaliser and a set of reactions that underlined both pride in the night's performance and the disappointment of European exit.