Celtic created history by beating Stuttgart in the second leg of their Europa League play-off tie in Germany last night.
Unfortunately, Celtic’s 1-0 win over Stuttgart was not enough to progress in the competition as the Hoops exit the competition 4-2 on aggregate.
Celtic boss Martin O’Neill was delighted with Celtic’s performance and it appears that the Hoops’ ‘lightning’ start dazzled the German media.
First up was Spiegel: “Only about 30 seconds had passed in the second leg of the Europa League round of 32 against Celtic Glasgow when Luke McCowan scored for the largely revamped visitors.
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“Given the visitors’ next chance just minutes later, things could have been even worse. Celtic had made even more significant changes to their starting eleven compared to the first leg than VfB Stuttgart; only three players started in Stuttgart as well.
“As a result, Glasgow were more defensively sound. The spectators saw how the home team struggled.”
Celtic ‘shocks’ Stuttgart as German media talk up champions
The reaction did not stop there. Sky Sports and Bild also got in on the action as they highlighted how Celtic ‘shocked’ Stuttgart in the 1-0 win.
Sky Sports Germany: “The VfB defense was caught off guard by the visitors’ first attack, and McCowan remained ice-cold in front of goal.
“Against the still courageous Scots, VfB gradually took control, but the Swabians never really threatened.
“Firstly, Glasgow, who fielded eight new players compared to the first leg, defended with discipline. Secondly, Deniz Undav and his teammates were often too imprecise in the final third, unlike a week earlier.”
Bild: “Lightning goal shocks Stuttgart. The visitors started immediately – and how! Freiburg loanee Junior Adamu played the ball to Luke McCowan.
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“The Scotsman fired a shot and scored from 14 meters. 0-1 down for VfB after just 33 seconds! The necessary wake-up call? Hardly…”
TSV Pelkum Sportweld: “Lightning start for Celtic: early goal by McCowan. The game started disastrously for VfB Stuttgart.
“Luke McCowan scored for Celtic Glasgow in the very first minute, making it 1-0. This early deficit initially shocked Stuttgart, but they recovered as the first half progressed.”
Celtic’s excellent defensive performance in big Stuttgart win
Admittedly, Celtic were under the cosh for much of the game but the stats from the BBC show how Martin O’Neill’s side put in a Herculean defensive performance.
- Goalkeeper saves: 6
- Aerial duels won: 20
- Tackles: 17
- Tackles won: 52.9%
- Clearances: 42
- Clearances off the line: 2
Celtic may well exit the Europa League, but their win and performance in Stuttgart gives the Bhoys a huge confidence boost for their trip to Ibrox to face Rangers on Sunday.
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