Opinion

How Celtic should line-up vs Stuttgart after Martin O’Neill’s Julian Araujo update with Rangers ahead

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Celtic boss Martin O’Neill has confirmed that Julian Araujo has stayed in Glasgow as the Bhoys prepare to take on Stuttgart in the Europa League.

Speaking to the media ahead of the big game in Germany, O’Neill said every Celtic first-team member has travelled bar the on-loan Bournemouth defender.

O’Neill told Celtic YouTube, “The preparations have been absolutely fine. Everybody except Julian, I think, have travelled with us and so then we’ll make decisions on the team tomorrow.

“But yeah, we’re looking forward to the game and I think that we’ve got some traveling fans coming here who spent some money, and therefore we owe it to them.”

So, with that in mind, here is 67 Hail Hail’s predicted Celtic XI as Martin O’Neill closes out the Europa League campaign with the big Rangers game ahead.

The UEFA Europa League trophy is seen on the stage ahead of the 2025/26 European Club Football Season Kick-Off on August 27, 2025 in Monaco.
Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Callum McGregor sits out as O’Neill rotates Celtic squad vs Stuttgart

With all the chat surrounding Kasper Schmeichel’s place in the team, the big Dane drops out tonight but so does Hoops captain Callum McGregor.

Here is how we think Martin O’Neill should line Celtic up against Stuttgart with a trip to face Ibrox to face Rangers looming.

Callum McGregor sits out Stuttgart vs Celtic

Thought's on Paddy's predicted XI?

Celtic's predicted Europa League starting XI vs Stuttgart

A much-changed team and a slight change in shape as key players are rested as Celtic look for a damage-limitation mission in Stuttgart.

Explaining Celtic’s 4-2-3-1 formation vs Stuttgart and why Paulo Bernardo does not start

The midfield change of shape sees McGregor get rested with Luke McCowan dropping in to partner Reo Hatate.

Paulo Bernardo’s last Celtic start saw the Portuguese take the field against Stuttgart and do nothing to stake his claim for a regular starting spot.

Bernardo was fairly anonymous in the 4-1 defeat and will remain on the bench in Germany.

Nygren takes the number 10 role to support Tomas Cvancara with Hyunjun Yang and Sebastian Tounekti dropping into the midfield to nullify Stuttgart’s threat but still offering Celtic an attacking outlet on the counter-attack.

While 67 Hail Hail writers predicted a tense Celtic performance and result, Martin O’Neill will be hoping for some sort of positive result to boost confidence ahead of the Rangers game on Sunday.