GLASGOW – A night meant to showcase Celtic’s European ambitions instead descended into a display of frustration, both on and off the pitch, as Stuttgart delivered a comprehensive 4-1 defeat in the first leg of their Europa League play-off tie. Beyond the scoreline, however, a growing discontent among the Celtic faithful boiled over, manifesting in protests against the club’s board and, pointedly, directed at goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
The Danish international, a key figure in Leicester City’s improbable Premier League triumph a decade ago, has faced increasing scrutiny for his recent performances. Thursday night’s display did little to quell those concerns. Schmeichel was slow to react to Bilal El Khannouss’s opening goal, and his attempted save on Jamie Leweling’s strike to make it 3-1 proved inadequate. The reaction from a section of the Celtic support was immediate and vocal, with jeers accompanying every touch of the ball for a sustained period.
Manager Martin O’Neill, while acknowledging the team’s overall shortcomings – “We conceded some really poor goals” – staunchly defended his goalkeeper. “We played Feyenoord in a game that we probably had to win, and I think it was 1-1 at the time, and he made an unbelievable save. Without that, we probably wouldn’t be here,” O’Neill stated post-match, referencing a crucial stop earlier in the season. He reiterated his faith in Schmeichel’s experience and resilience, adding, “Kasper Schmeichel has played so many games, he’s had some dips in his time, and he’s come right back. Kasper Schmeichel has done exceptionally well for me in my time here.”
Despite O’Neill’s backing, the question of Schmeichel’s future remains open. When pressed on whether he would consider giving Viljami Sinisalo an opportunity, O’Neill offered a non-committal response: “You’re asking me a question here on Thursday night. Who knows what might happen at the end of it all?”
The discontent wasn’t solely focused on Schmeichel. The match began with a disruptive protest from a segment of the Celtic support, who threw dozens of miniature balls onto the pitch in protest against the club’s board. The resulting delay, while brief, underscored a growing rift between the fans and those in charge. O’Neill was scathing in his criticism of the protest, stating, “Anybody who thinks that’s a good idea needs their heads examining.” He drew a stark contrast to the intimidating atmosphere Celtic once cultivated, recalling a time when opponents like Juventus “were scared stiff coming. Scared stiff.” He lamented that the protest ultimately aided Stuttgart, allowing them to feel less pressure in a hostile environment.
On the pitch, Stuttgart proved to be the more clinical and composed side. While Benjamin Nygren briefly leveled the score for Celtic, the German outfit responded with ruthless efficiency. El Khannouss’s second goal, coupled with Leweling’s strike, effectively extinguished Celtic’s hopes before Tiago Tomás added a fourth in stoppage time, sealing a commanding victory for Stuttgart.
The defeat leaves Celtic facing a monumental task in the second leg in Germany. However, O’Neill was quick to refocus attention on domestic matters, acknowledging the immediate challenge of Sunday’s Scottish Premiership match against Hibernian. “Our focus is Sunday now. Sunday is most important for us,” he said, dismissing any suggestion of a second-leg postponement. The upcoming fixture list is particularly demanding for Celtic, with two successive trips to Ibrox looming on the horizon, adding further pressure to an already challenging situation.
The Europa League tie, while significant, now feels secondary to the immediate battle for domestic supremacy. O’Neill’s priority is clear: to steady the ship and navigate a treacherous run of fixtures, hoping to quell the growing unrest both on and off the pitch. The performance in Stuttgart, and the reaction it provoked, has undoubtedly raised questions about the direction of the club and the future of key players, most notably Kasper Schmeichel.
