In a devastating blow to their European aspirations, Celtic now face an uphill battle to salvage their Europa League campaign following a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Stuttgart in the first leg of the play-offs.
The Scottish giants, under manager Martin O’Neill, must overturn a three-goal deficit in the return leg if they hope to advance to the round of 16.
The match at Celtic Park turned into a nightmare for the home side, marred by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel’s uncharacteristic blunders that directly contributed to Stuttgart’s dominance.
Celtic had barely scraped through the league phase, relying on a dramatic 4-2 win over Utrecht on matchday eight to keep their dreams alive.
However, this error-filled performance has left their continental journey teetering on the edge of elimination.
Stuttgart struck first in the 15th minute after Schmeichel’s poor clearance gifted possession to the visitors. Deniz Undav executed a stunning backheel volley to set up Bilal El Khannouss, who fired a precise left-footed shot into the net.
The goal exposed Celtic’s defensive frailties early on, setting a tone of vulnerability that persisted throughout the game.
Celtic responded resiliently just six minutes later, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Stuttgart captain Atakan Karazor.
His ill-advised blind pass, while facing his own goal, deflected fortuitously into the path of Benjamin Nygren.
The forward rounded goalkeeper Alexander Nubel and slotted home an easy equalizer, briefly igniting hopes among the home crowd.
But the parity was short-lived. In the 28th minute, El Khannouss restored Stuttgart’s lead with a clever header at the near post from a deflected cross, showcasing his clinical finishing and Stuttgart’s relentless pressure.
The second half brought more misery for Celtic. Twelve minutes after the restart, Jamie Leweling unleashed a dipping long-range effort that slipped through Schmeichel’s grasp and bounced into the net.
The Danish shot-stopper, a veteran of international football, faced jeers from frustrated Celtic supporters, highlighting the growing discontent in the stands.
Stuttgart nearly extended their lead further when Ermedin Demirovic’s goal was disallowed for offside, but they sealed a commanding advantage in stoppage time.
Substitute Tiago Tomas flicked the ball over a despairing Schmeichel to make it 4-1, leaving the German side with one foot firmly in the next round.
As Celtic prepare for the daunting trip to Stuttgart, O’Neill will need to rally his troops for a miraculous comeback.
Questions loom over Schmeichel’s form and the team’s overall resilience in high-stakes European ties.
With the second leg looming, Celtic’s fans can only hope for a heroic turnaround to keep their Europa League adventure alive.
