Celtic FC vs VfB Stuttgart Europa League | Celtic FC head coach Martin O’Neill reacts after the 4-1 defeat to VfB Stuttgart in a tough European night at Celtic Park.
O’Neill admitted Celtic competed well in spells but were punished by a ruthless Stuttgart side and conceded what he described as “soft goals” that ultimately swung the game. He addressed whether the tie is beyond reach, shifting immediate focus toward Sunday’s domestic fixture while acknowledging the financial gap between clubs competing at the highest European level.
The Celtic manager also spoke strongly about the pre-match disruption, stating it helped no one and may have eased pressure on Stuttgart rather than intimidating them. He defended Kasper Schmeichel amid criticism, backing the experienced goalkeeper to respond as he has done throughout his career.
With the second leg in Germany ahead and a crucial league match coming first, O’Neill emphasized unity, accountability, and learning from mistakes. Can Celtic regroup quickly and respond the way big European clubs must?
