Mark Atkinson
Published20th Feb 2026, 08:16 GMT
Updated20th Feb 2026, 08:17 GMT
Celtic’s Europa League hopes are all but over after losing the first leg of their last-16 play-off 4-1 at home to VfB Stuttgart.
It was another challenging night for Martin O’Neill’s side, who were put to the sword ruthlessly by their German visitors.
We pick out some of the talking points from the game on Thursday night:
The Kasper conundrum
Martin O’Neill had to make some difficult choices with his goalkeepers during his first time as manager between 2000 and 2005, most notably with Jonathan Gould, Rab Douglas, Magnus Hedman and David Marshall.
He now has another on his hands after Kasper Schmeichel’s performance against Stuttgart.
It was a difficult night for Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and his teammates.placeholder image
It was a difficult night for Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and his teammates. | SNS Group
The scenario that is unfolding with the 39-year-old Dane is uncomfortable viewing. Schmeichel has had a stellar career but his powers have been on the wane since the end of last season and the decline has accelerated in recent weeks. His distribution and shot-stopping ability have been questioned and the doubts have been heightened over the past few days.
His footwork for the second goal at Kilmarnock last weekend was slow and he offered meek resistance for two of Stuttgart’s four goals. The situation has become so difficult that a section of the Celtic support booed Schmeichel after the third. He was helped by the swift exit of many supporters as the Germans ran amok.
Schmeichel is an influential member of the dressing room. He is part of the leadership group. Respected by his peers and also O’Neill, they will take no pleasure in watching their keeper struggle.
O’Neill must now decide whether to retain faith in the veteran, or go with 24-year-old deputy Viljami Sinisalo for some big upcoming matches. Celtic host Hibs on Sunday in the Premiership and head to Germany for the second leg next week. After that are three away matches: Rangers twice and Aberdeen.
This is not a time for the faint-hearted. Schmeichel may have the courage to keep goal for Celtic, but does he have the conviction? Only O’Neill can answer that.
Celtic players and steward remove small balls from the pitch.placeholder image
Celtic players and steward remove small balls from the pitch. | SNS Group
The Celtic protest
Supporters have a right to voice their displeasure. They’ve certainly been doing that at Celtic Park this season - although the protests against the hierarchy were taken up a notch against Stuttgart.
The game had just begun when some fans chucked multi-coloured balls on to the pitch. It caused a delay of a couple of minutes as players and stewards cleared the playing surface so that the only ball of importance could run free.
O’Neill was clearly not amused. The TNT Sports cameras caught the boss discussing the moment with his assistant Shaun Maloney and a lip-reader was not required to understand the feelings of the 73-year-old - presiding over his 1000th match as a manager - on the matter.
Celtic Park has so often been the club’s trump card on major European nights but its powers are diminished right now. The match was played during large spells of quiet in the home ranks. Stuttgart’s fans brought the colour and the noise. They partied hard into the night.
Celtic midfielder Arne Engels is currently injured.placeholder image
Celtic midfielder Arne Engels is currently injured. | SNS Group
Are Celtic missing Engels?
When Celtic received a bid in the region of £25 million for midfielder Arne Engels last month, a section of the fanbase would have put their hands up to drive him to Nottingham Forest.
Engels has since picked up an injury and was unavailable for this match, as well as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was not registered for the Europa League. And with Reo Hatate out of form, Paulo Bernardo was handed a rare start in the engine room. He did not excel either.
Engels is not perfect by any means, but he has played some of his best stuff this season under O’Neill. He has more of a physical presence and delivers quality from set plays.
Oxlade-Chamberlain is pitching for a start after two excellent cameos off the bench. He should come in for Bernardo. But without Engels, who will be absent for a few more weeks, O’Neill options in a crucial part of the team is limited.
Scotland captain Andy Robertson was an interested spectator.placeholder image
Scotland captain Andy Robertson was an interested spectator. | SNS Group
Robbo takes it all in
Scotland captain Andy Robertson was an interested spectator at Celtic Park as he took in proceedings against Stuttgart. The Liverpool left-back is a self-confessed Celtic supporter and was papped by the cameras wearing a black wooly hat.
Robertson’s contract at Anfield expires at the end of the season and he was close to joining Tottenham Hotspur last month. It feels likely a new challenge will present itself next term.
Before that, he has a World Cup to think about with Scotland. He got to see first-hand one of his direct opponent when the national team takes on Morocco in Stuttgart striker Bilal El Khannouss, who netted twice for the Germans and looked a lively presence all evening.
Best get the scouting done now, Andy.