Celtic vs Stuttgart: O’Neill Hints at Changes But No ‘Weakened’ Team | Europa League Play-Off
Celtic Prepare for Stuttgart Clash Amidst Domestic Concerns
Stuttgart, Germany – Celtic face a daunting task in Thursday’s Europa League play-off second leg against VfB Stuttgart, trailing 4-1 from the first encounter at Celtic Park. Manager Martin O’Neill has acknowledged the uphill battle but firmly rejected suggestions that he will field a “weakened” team, despite a crucial Scottish Premiership derby against Rangers looming on Sunday.
The Scottish champions suffered a setback domestically over the weekend, losing 2-1 to Hibernian, leaving them third in the league standings. O’Neill is balancing the demands of European competition with the need to secure vital points in the title race.
Speaking at a press conference held at VfB Stuttgart’s Neckarstadion on Wednesday evening, O’Neill emphasized the importance of respecting the travelling support. “We’re looking forward to the game and we have some travelling fans coming, spending their money, so we owe it to them,” he said. He added that the team travelling to Germany is not a weakened one, stating, “the players are capable of playing and there’s been competition for places since I’ve come in.”
Celtic will need to overcome a significant deficit to progress in the competition, requiring a three-goal victory to even force extra time. However, O’Neill remains focused on a positive performance. He acknowledged Stuttgart’s quality, stating, “They are a very fine side,” but also pointed to areas where Celtic could have performed better in the first leg. “Strangely enough, the stats tell you that the game was much closer and we gave away some very poor goals and were still very much in the game at half-time.”
The manager lamented missed opportunities in the first leg, noting that even at 3-1, Celtic had chances to reduce the deficit. “It’s easier said than done, but we will get some chances. These things can happen,” he said. He stressed the importance of giving a good account of themselves, recalling recent positive performances in Europe, including a victory over Feyenoord and a resilient draw in Bologna despite playing with ten men for much of the match.
O’Neill reflected on the club’s ambitions for both domestic and European success. “You strive all season, wanting to win the league if you can and to try and progress in Europe,” he said. He acknowledged the disappointment of not replicating last season’s successful Champions League campaign, which he described as “really excellent.”
Julian Araujo is the only first-team player not to have travelled with the squad, remaining in Glasgow. All other available players have made the trip to Germany. O’Neill confirmed he would be making decisions on the starting lineup on Thursday, but reiterated his commitment to fielding a competitive side.
Despite the challenging circumstances, O’Neill is determined to see his team compete and give their supporters something to cheer about. The match against Stuttgart represents a significant test for Celtic, both in terms of their European ambitions and their preparation for the crucial derby against Rangers.