UEFA Europa League Play-off second leg Thursday, February 26, 2026 Neckarstadion, Stuttgart VfB STUTTGART…0 CELTIC…1 (McCowan 28 secs) Aggregate: 2-4 Celtic are out of the Europa League after losing 4-2 on aggregate to Stuttgart, though a very early goal from Luke McCowan gave the Celts a 1-0 victory against the Bundesliga side in Germany tonight. The Hoops could not have dreamt of a better start in the MHP Arena where, with less than a minute gone, Martin O’Neill’s men took the lead. Callum McGregor fed the ball to Yang on the right wing, who in turn found Junior Adamu. The striker was alert to Luke McCowan’s run and he slipped the ball to the midfielder who produced a wonderful finish in to the bottom corner to make it 1-0. It could have been 2-0 a few minutes later when the Celts got in behind the home side’s defence and Colby Donovan sent a tempting ball across the face of goal for Daizen Maeda, but the Japanese forward failed to get a touch on the ball to send it goalwards. The Bundesliga side went close to equalising with 15 minutes of the match played when Badredine Bouanani sent a low shot towards goal, but Viljami Sinisalo was equal to it and was able to push it wide with a good save. The home side continued to press forward and began to create a number of chances which required some well-timed interventions from the Celtic backline, with every man in black and green working hard for the cause. As the first half progressed towards half time, Stuttgart were in control of the possession stats, but for as much as they were enjoying time on the ball, Celtic looked dangerous whenever an opportunity to press forward presented itself. Just before the break, Auston Trusty and Callum McGregor produced good blocks in the six-yard box to deny Tiago Tomás from finding an equaliser, with Martin O’Neill’s men going in at the break with the lead on the night, but two goals behind on aggregate. Stuttgart made a change at the break bringing Chris Führich on for Jamie Leweling, and within seconds of the restart, Führich went tearing down the left wing and flashed a ball across the face of ball for Bouanani, whose shot from a few yards out was deflected wide of the target. Celtic responded with a similar attack moments later, with Yang using his pace to fashion a crossing opportunity, but the home side’s keeper was able to hold on to the ball. With 10 minutes of the second half gone, Martin O’Neill made his first changes bringing Tomas Cvancara and Anthony Ralston on for Junior Adamu and Colby Donovan. Vil Sinisalo produced a brilliant save just after the hour mark, again denying Bouanani, though this time the Finnish keeper had to be extra agile to keep the effort out, which he duly did. Führich thought he had levelled the match when he sent a curling effort in to the bottom corner but the linesman’s flag cut the home side’s celebrations short. Just 10 minutes later a VAR intervention cancelled out another goal for the home side for an offside in the build-up, this time the finish coming from Deniz Undav. Sinisalo was busy throughout the second half but, minus the goals which were ruled out, he was equal to everything that came his way, including a powerful close-range effort from Führich with five minutes to go. Even with time running out on Celtic’s European campaign, Martin O’Neill’s men continued to hunt for another goal which was almost delivered by Sebastian Tounekti, who had linked up well with Kelechi Iheanacho. Both men had been brought on as substitutes in the second half. The final whistle brought an end to Celtic’s Europa League campaign, with Stuttgart winning 4-2 on aggregate, but Martin O’Neill and his players can leave Germany with their heads held high after their 1-0 victory at the MHP Arena. Attentions now turn to Sunday, when a trip to Ibrox for the Glasgow derby awaits.FixturesVfB Stuttgart 1893 AG Vs. Celtic – Thu, Feb 26th 2026, 17:45
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