There was an air of defiance in Stuttgart as Celtic arrived for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League play-off, trailing 4-1 after a bruising first leg at Parkhead. With odds stacked firmly against them and history not on their side—never having won on German soil in 16 attempts—the Scottish champions faced a monumental challenge. Yet, as the whistle blew in the 60,000-capacity stadium, with 2,500 traveling Celtic supporters in full voice, Martin O'Neill's men were determined to make this more than just a formality.
The confirmed lineups reflected both sides' intent. Stuttgart lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Nübel in goal, Vagnoman, Jeltsch, Jaquez, and Mittelstädt across the back; Karazor and Andrés in midfield; with Tomás, Bouanani, and Leweling supporting Undav up top. Celtic, meanwhile, made eight changes from their previous outing, opting for a 4-3-3: Sinisalo between the sticks, Donovan, Trusty, Murray, and Saracchi forming the defensive line; McCowan, McGregor, and Hatate in the engine room; and a front three of Yang, Maeda, and Adamu.
For Celtic, the build-up had been anything but smooth. After their heavy defeat to Stuttgart in Glasgow, they suffered another setback, losing 2-1 to Hibernian at Parkhead, with Auston Trusty seeing red after a VAR check for violent conduct. Fortunately for the visitors, Trusty's three-match ban was limited to domestic competition, leaving him eligible for this European tie. Manager Martin O'Neill was forced into further rotation, opting to rest Julian Aurajo, a standout performer this season, ahead of the looming derby against Rangers. "We've made some changes to the side but all these boys have played. It's an opportunity for these players to come in and do really well," O'Neill told Celtic TV before kick-off. He was candid about the task ahead: "We want to play as strongly as we can and try and make it interesting. We owe it to our fans who have travelled, I think it's about 2,500 or 3,000 people. And we owe it to the football club."
Stuttgart, for their part, entered the match on the back of a thrilling 3-3 draw with FC Heidenheim, maintaining a healthy run of form with three wins, a draw, and a single loss in their last five matches. Their manager, while acknowledging the advantage, refused to rule Celtic out, emphasizing the unpredictability of knockout football.
Few could have predicted the electric start that followed. Within seconds of the opening whistle, Junior Adamu—given a rare European start—linked up brilliantly with Luke McCowan. Adamu's clever play opened up space, slipping a precise pass for McCowan to slot home past Nübel. Suddenly, the aggregate score stood at 4-2, and the mood inside the stadium shifted palpably. "A stunning start for Celtic as Luke McCowan slots home a tidy finish just seconds after kick-off. This game has been written off as a dead rubber, and judging by Martin O'Neill's team selection, ranks bottom of the list of priorities. But my word. Celtic couldn't have dreamed of a better start," reported Daily Record Sport.
The early goal injected belief into the Celtic ranks and sent a ripple of anxiety through the Stuttgart faithful. The German side, who had looked so comfortable in Glasgow, found themselves on the back foot as the visitors pressed for a second. The home ultras, however, were undeterred, their chants echoing around the packed arena as Stuttgart tried to regain composure.
Stuttgart responded with attacking intent, as Fuhrich—introduced at halftime—charged down the left to set up Undav, only for Sinisalo to make a crucial save. The Finnish goalkeeper, finally handed a start after months of waiting, rose to the occasion with several important stops, including a low save to deny Bouanani. As Stuttgart began to dominate possession, pinning Celtic deep, the Scottish side's defense held firm. Trusty, eager to make amends for his recent disciplinary woes, was particularly impressive, making a vital challenge to prevent Bouanani from pulling the trigger.
Despite sustained pressure, Celtic continued to create chances on the break. Maeda, always a threat with his pace, broke clear down the left and nearly found Yang at the far post, only for the Stuttgart defense to scramble the ball behind for a corner. Donovan, too, made an impact, charging forward to pick out Maeda in the box, though the Japanese forward couldn't quite carve out a shooting opportunity.
O'Neill, who had prioritized the upcoming derby against Rangers with his team selection, resisted making changes at halftime. "No changes for Celtic at the break as both teams re-emerge from the tunnel. Maybe a surprise that the likes of Benjamin Nygren and Sebastian Tounekti haven't been chucked on at the break. Martin O'Neill will probably look to his bench on the hour mark," observed the press from the stands. The decision to keep faith with the starting eleven was vindicated as Celtic continued to match Stuttgart's intensity and even threatened to further reduce the aggregate deficit.
While McCowan's opener had given hope, the tie remained a mountain to climb. Celtic pressed hard for a second, with McCowan's inswinging corner headed away by Karazor and Adamu's tireless running causing problems for the Stuttgart backline. The Austrian striker's performance was a bright spot, earning praise for his movement and link-up play. "The Austria striker was a real handful and laid the ball on a plate for Luke McCowan's opener. His link-up play was generally good as well and he will certainly gives Celts a different option against Rangers," noted the match commentary.
In midfield, Callum McGregor once again embodied the spirit of the visitors. The captain, now 32 and having made 45 appearances this season, showed no signs of fatigue, orchestrating play and driving his team forward. Hatate, on the other hand, struggled to influence proceedings, appearing jaded and unable to replicate his earlier form.
The home side, buoyed by their aggregate lead, introduced fresh legs in the second half, but Celtic's defense continued to repel wave after wave of attacks. Sinisalo was called into action again, denying Lewelling and Bouanani with confident saves. As the clock ticked on, the tension inside the stadium grew, with Stuttgart fans beginning to sense that their side might be in for a nervier night than anticipated.
Ultimately, as the match progressed, Stuttgart's attacking depth and experience began to tell. Celtic's early energy waned, and while they continued to battle valiantly, the breakthrough for a second goal proved elusive. The aggregate score remained in Stuttgart's favor, but Celtic's spirited display ensured they left Germany with heads held high and renewed confidence ahead of their crucial domestic showdown.
As the final whistle approached, Martin O'Neill's words resonated with the traveling support: "You get an early goal here and you cause consternation in the opposition, then it's a bit of a concern for them." Celtic may not have completed the miracle comeback, but they certainly made it interesting—just as their manager had demanded. The Hoops now turn their attention to Rangers, emboldened by a performance that showed, even in adversity, the club's fighting spirit endures.