Celtic secured a first competitive victory on German soil, beating Stuttgart 1-0, but the result was a mere consolation as the Scottish champions exited the Europa League 5-2 on aggregate. The match in Stuttgart also marked Martin O'Neill's final European fixture as a manager, with the former Celtic boss delivering a measure of history after a 4-1 first-leg defeat at Celtic Park.
Luke McCowan's goal inside the opening 30 seconds proved decisive. Callum McGregor fed Yang Hyun-jun, whose pass found Junior Adamu, and the striker's pinpoint cross was met by McCowan's left-foot finish, leaving Alexander Nübel with no chance. Stuttgart dominated possession and territory thereafter, firing 24 attempts at goal, but Celtic defended with diligence and discipline. Daizen Maeda wasted a chance to double the lead, while Sebastian Tounekti should have scored late on.
O'Neill, who made eight changes from the weekend loss to Hibernian, gave Viljani Sinisalo a rare start in goal in place of Kasper Schmeichel. The Finnish goalkeeper was largely untroubled until a smart save from Badredine Bouanani. There was a brief injury scare for captain Callum McGregor after a heavy tackle from Tiago Tomás, but the midfielder was able to continue, easing fears he could miss the Old Firm derby against Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday.
Stuttgart, fourth in the Bundesliga, had two goals disallowed. Chris Führich saw a strike ruled out for offside, while Deniz Undav's equaliser was cancelled because substitute Ermedin Demirovic, who had returned from treatment, was deemed to have been illegally involved. Television replays suggested Demirovic was actually onside, but with the aggregate score beyond doubt, the decision had no material bearing on the tie.
With 3,000 Celtic supporters in celebratory mood at the final whistle, the victory provided a rare high point in an otherwise disappointing European campaign. Whether it proves a springboard or merely a footnote in the season remains to be seen, with domestic priorities now taking centre stage.
