And it was all the more impressive given boss Martin O’Neill sent out so many peripheral figures

19:46, 26 Feb 2026Updated 21:36, 26 Feb 2026

Celtic’s Luke McCowan celebrates scoring

Hoops fans hit the Mercedes and Porsche museums during the day – and then watched their Honda Civic give suped up Stuttgart a run for their money at night.

In a season full of unlikely twists and turns, here was another surprise – Celtic’s first ever victory on German soil in 17 attempts.

It was just a pity the wheels had already come off the wagon in the first Europa League leg in Glasgow.

There was never a realistic chance of turning around the 4-1 deficit, but the Hoops did salvage some pride in the famous motor city.

And it was all the more impressive given boss Martin O’Neill sent out so many fringe men with a view to keeping some of his key men in cotton wool for Sunday’s crucial Old Firm Premiership clash at Ibrox.

It was an opportunity for others such as keeper Viljami Sinisalo, younger Dane Murray and front man Junior Adamu to chuck their names into the frame for the weekend.

A fair chunk of the 2500 travelling fans were simply in town to sink a few pilsners and hope for the best before gearing up for an epic spell on the domestic front.

And they would have been pleasantly chuffed at their team’s battling display.

At one stage they might have even been dreaming of doing the unthinkable when Luke McCowan pounced with an opener inside just 32 SECONDS.

The midfielder brilliantly clipped low into the bottom corner after a neat break involving Yang Hyun-Jun and Junior Adamu.

But even then it was still highly unlikely. Stuttgart piled on the pressure for long spells but Celts just about held firm.

The Hoops also survived a couple of goals ruled out by VAR for offside.

The second one would have been a shocker mind you, with Ermedin Demirovic waved back on the pitch and then racing straight into the box. VAR spared any blushes and while it was backs to the walls at times, O’Neill’s men did pose the odd threat on the counter.

Celtic’s European road trip is over – but now it’s about hitting top gear at home. Here’s five talking points.

FRINGE BENEFITS

O’Neill clearly had more than half an eye on Sunday’s Old Firm clash – and he made eight changes to the starting line-up that lost to Hibs.

Only Callum McGregor, Yang Hyun-Jun and Auston Trusty – who is banned for Ibrox – stayed in the team.

It allowed the likes of Kieran Tierney, Liam Scales and Julian Araujo to rest up, while others were given a chance to stake claims for the weekend.

Celtic fans might have feared the worst but would have been pleasantly surprised by some of the showings.

Luke McCowan was busy and superbly tucked away the shock opener, while youngster Dane Murray got a run out at the back and coped well under a lot of pressure with a couple of cracking blocks.

He might just have played himself into Sunday’s team.

CALMAC NEVER STOPS

There was no night off for McGregor though. O’Neill joked in the build up about his skipper always wanting to play – but the midfielder’s attitude and fitness is unreal.

McGregor has played in every one of Celtic’s 45 games so far this season – starting 44 of them and even coming off the bench in the other.

The captain even faced Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup and it’s clear he’s determined to lead from the front.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill

Stuttgart’s MHP Arena was the scene of his last Scotland cap – when Steve Clarke’s men were knocked out after losing to Hungary at 2024.

And with plenty of speculation about hooking up with former boss Brendan Rodgers in Saudi Arabia this summer, it might be the site of his final European game with Celts.

Either way, modern great McGregor will one fighting tooth and nail to finish the season strongly – and with silverware.

PLAYING FOR KEEPS

O’Neill insisted he was always going start Sinisalo in Germany regardless of the noise around Kasper Schmeichel.

But the keeper position is a major issue right now and the Finn’s positive display might have given his manager a decision to make for Sunday.

Sinisalo made some smart saves and he was cool with the ball at his feet.

Yet it would be a major call to change no.1 going into crunch time in the season.

It would also be a surprise. O’Neill has given Schmeichel his full backing – and did it again in Germany.

The manager will want every bit of experience he can muster going to Ibrox.

There are enough signs to suggest the former Aston Villa man can become the main man for the Hoops in the future.

But he might need to be patient for a little longer.

FRONTING UP

It’s difficult what to make of Junior Adamu. The big striker was a Hoops hero with his last gasp back heel against Dundee but then got the hook against Kilmarnock and hadn’t been seen since.

The on-loan Frieburg man got another chance here – and grabbed it. Adamu did well to tee up McCowan for the quick-fire opener and generally gave his side a decent target to hit and get up the pitch.

It wasn’t always slick but he showed some neat touches and helped occupy the Stuttgart centre backs for his 50-odd minutes out there.

Adamu was another one who has given his manager food for thought for Sunday.

ALL GO FOR GOVAN

It’s been a strange old European campaign for Celtic, with some big moments and some sore ones as well.

O’Neill will have been pleased to get out of Germany relatively unscathed and with morale intact.

But he knows it’s Sunday’s Rangers showdown that really matters this week.

Viljami Sinisalo of Celtic saves the shot of Badredine Bouanani of Stuttgart

The Stuttgart clash won’t have given too many hints though as it will be a completely different clash at Ibrox.

Celts are facing a week that could define their entire season. It could keep O’Neill on track to complete an incredible story – or it could be campaign over.

It really is all or nothing time for the Hoops.