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Martin O’Neill arrived in Germany with probably little expectation and departed facing a difficult selection dilemma ahead of Celtic’s visit to Ibrox this weekend, following a morale-boosting victory over VfB Stuttgart last night…
Celtic Manager Martin O Neill waves to fans. Stuttgart v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Knockout Round Play Offs, Second Leg, Football, MHP Arena, Stuttgart, Germany – 26 Feb 2026 Stuttgart MHP Arena Germany Photo James Marsh Shutterstock
The caretaker Hoops boss reshuffled his lineup, making seven changes from last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Hibs at Celtic Park.
A strike inside 30 seconds from Luke McCowan set the tone for O’Neill’s men, allowing his side to restore some pride and offering several players the chance to press their case for inclusion in Sunday’s Glasgow Derby clash.
Viljami Sinisalo of Celtic FC reacts during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between VfB Stuttgart and Celtic FC at Stuttgart Arena on February 26, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)
Goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo was among those to impress. With first-choice stopper Kasper Schmeichel struggling for consistency, O’Neill acknowledged the Finnish international has created genuine competition for the starting role ahead of Sunday’s game against theRangers.
Speaking post-match, O’Neill said: “Maybe it is a headache. I thought he did really well, really well in the game. I’m delighted for him. He’s a lovely lad. He did great in the game, and so did a few others as well. Not a few others, everybody did well in the match. It gives me food for thought.”
“There are players there. It’s not as if we’ve played some 16-year-olds. The players have all played. Some have played less football than others in recent times. And I thought that everybody came out with flying colours.”
Celtic’s 4-2 aggregate loss across the two legs confirmed their elimination from Europe for another season and is also expected to mark the end of Martin O’Neill’s long association with continental competition.
The 73-year-old reflected afterwards on a career filled with memorable European campaigns, speaking with satisfaction about his achievements and the experiences he has gathered both on the pitch and in the dugout.
“I’ve been given a chance here,”he said. “By the way, the evening has absolutely nothing to do with me. It really isn’t. Of course, I miss it, absolutely. I’ll miss it until they’re putting a brown lid on top of me. I miss the game. I’ve always missed it. Here I am, in many aspects, in dreamland, really. Just to be given the opportunity to manage the side here and come, as you said, the first win for the club on German soil, which is nice.”
“That’s bittersweet in that sense, because the tie was tough for us because of last week. But overall, getting back to it, I miss football. I always will. I’m delighted with the effort and determination that they put into the game.”
“We got off to a really great start. We felt as if we didn’t concede in the first 20 minutes of the match, and maybe even nick a goal, we could still be in the tie. We’re playing a very, very good side. A side, from my viewpoint here, is capable of winning the competition. But I couldn’t be more pleased with the team.”
“Couldn’t be more pleased with attitude, desire, and wanting to do it. We were getting very tired towards the end of the game. But that was understandable, really, for the effort that they put in.”
Conor Spence
The view from the Celtic end in Stuttgart. VfB Stuttgart 0-1 Celtic. Photo Conor Spence (The Celtic Star)
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
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