Chris Sutton wasted no time in responding after Celtic secured their first-ever victory in Germany, despite the Hoops bowing out of the Europa League 4-2 on aggregate.
The 1-0 triumph over Stuttgart at the MHP Arena does little to alter the final outcome of the tie, but it certainly shifts the feeling heading into Sunday’s clash. Trailing by three goals from the first leg, Celtic might have crumbled. Instead, they burst out of the blocks and handled themselves impressively for extended periods.
Luke McCowan’s strike inside the opening minute set the early momentum. It was an incisive run followed by a composed finish. For a spell, Stuttgart appeared rattled. Celtic applied pressure with purpose and forced mistakes high up the field.
As the contest developed, Stuttgart began to dominate possession. They probed from the edge of the area and from range. Viljami Sinisalo was called into action and responded superbly. His stops from Leweling and Undav preserved the clean sheet and provided his team with a dependable foundation.
Sutton summed up the tie on X after full-time.Luke McCowan’s strike inside the opening minute set the early momentum. It was an incisive run followed by a composed finish. For a spell, Stuttgart appeared rattled. Celtic applied pressure with purpose and forced mistakes high up the field.
As the contest developed, Stuttgart began to dominate possession. They probed from the edge of the area and from range. Viljami Sinisalo was called into action and responded superbly. His stops from Leweling and Undav preserved the clean sheet and provided his team with a dependable foundation.
Sutton summed up the tie on X after full-time.
There is candour in that assessment, but also optimism. Celtic were structured. They battled. They demonstrated they can defend effectively on the road against quality opposition.
That carries significance with Ibrox up next. Self-belief can stem from evenings like this. McCowan’s early goal, Sinisalo’s command between the posts and a well-drilled defensive showing all present the manager with genuine choices.
The European campaign concludes here, but the display in Germany offers Celtic a springboard. Attention now turns firmly to Sunday, as the Hoops make the short journey across the city with confidence rather than uncertainty.