Celtic haven’t won a European knock-out tie since 2004 when Alan Thompson’s brilliant goal at Parkhead defeated Barcelona and Martin O’Neill’s Celtic side held out for a goalless draw in the Nou Camp to go through…
It’s been a long wait and we have got just the manager to do it again and give Celtic that wonderful feeling again. We came close last year when Brendan Rodgers almost managed it against Bayern Munich but it was not to be. Now it’s another Bundesliga side standing in our way on VfB Stuttgart, another side Celtic enjoyed knock-out European success against this time in 2002 on the Road to Seville.
Tonight, if dreams come true, Celtic could be on the start of the journey to Istanbul but the large travelling German support will feel the same thing about their own team if they can get past Celtic over the two legs starting this evening.
Remember that we played another Bundesliga side, RB Leipzig off the park last season at Celtic Park in the Champions League.
Celtic Manager’s View
Here’s how Martin O’Neill is thinking about the significant challenge that VfB Stuttgart will present this evening. Having faced and beaten them before Martin certainly fancies doing it again! And so he should. This from his mainstream media conference yesterday with the ban on Celtic fan media continuing.
“This is a major test for us tomorrow. I’d said in the past that we went to Feyenoord and got a great result there, and then fought with 10 men for about 60 minutes in the match against Bologna. I didn’t want those games to not count for something, so we beat Utrecht and now we’re here, so we might as well give it a go.
“Stuttgart are flying at the moment, they’re fourth in the Bundesliga and in a Champions League position. We’ve had a look at them and they’re strong, physical and they’ve got a lot of good players, so they will be difficult games for us but while we’re there, let’s go for it.”
“We know it’s going to be a difficult game over the two legs. If it had been condensed to one, then you never know, but I’m going to be positive – we will be and we’ll try and get off to a half-decent start. That will help us.
“I don’t want us to be fearful of the games. We’ve got to go in with some confidence and if we didn’t get a lift from fighting back on Sunday, then nothing will give you a lift. That was great.
“Now I’m accepting the fact that this is a European night and it is a side who are flying in the Bundesliga, but I think you should leave that aside and let us do as much as we can for ourselves rather than considering what the opposition might to do us.”
Celtic Team News
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain isn’t registered for the Europa League which is a real pity as we could have down with his quality and experience against such top-class opposition, especially with Arne Engels now sidelined until the end of March at the earliest. With Celtic injuries it’s always wise to add a couple of extra weeks onto the expected return date that we’re told so mid April is probably more accurate.
Engels joins the long term casualties from such an unfortunate season, with the likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alistair Johnston and Jota all being big misses for Celtic.
Martin O’Neill, speaking to the written mainstream media yesterday afternoon (the ban of Celtic fan media including The Celtic Star continues) talked up Reo Hatate and that hints at the out of sorts Japanese international retaining his spot in the absence of Engels.
Kasper Schmeichel will need to be at his best this evening because VfB Stuttgart will test him, perhaps sensing a weakness in the Celtic goals. The Great Dane can prove them wrong.
Schmeichel will have Julian Araujo, Auston Trusty, Liam Scales and Kieran Tierney ahead of him in the Celtic defence while the Celtic captain Callum McGregor will be joined by our leading goalscorer Benjamin Nygren and the subdued but sometimes sublime Reo Hatate in the centre of the park. Martin O’Neill is likely to play Daizen Maeda on the right and Sebastian Tounekti on the left with the two interchanging as necessary. Tomas Cvancara will lead the line.
Predicted Celtic Team
Photo above shows the starting line-up against Utrecht, with The Celtic Star believing that there will be three changes this evening with Araujo, Hatate and Cvancara coming in for Donovan, Engels and Yang.
Predicted Celtic XI: Schmeichel; Araujo, Trusty, Scales, Tierney; McGregor, Hatate, Nygren; Maeda, Cvancara, Tounekti
Celtic bench: Sinissalo, Doohan; Saracchi, Murray, Donovan, Ralston, McCowan, Bernardo, Adamu, Yang and Forrest.
UEFA Match Officials
For Celtic v VfB Stuttgart in the Europa League play-off, on Thursday evening at Celtic Park (kick-off 8pm) UEFA.com have confirmed the following match official appointments…
Referee – Erik Lambrechts (Belgium)
Assistant referees – Mathias Hillaert and Kevin Monteny (both Belgium)
Fourth official – Jasper Vergoote (Belgium)
Video Assistant Referee – Bram Van Driessche (Belgium)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee – Pol van Boekel (Netherlands).
Match referee Erik Lambrechts needs no introductions to Celtic centre back Liam Scales as the Belgium shows the Irishman a red card at Wembley in the Nations League match back in November 2024.
Kick-off Time
The Celtic v VfB Stuttgart Europa League playoff first leg takes place at Celtic Park this evening, Thursday, February 19, 2026. The match will kick-off at 8pm Celtic Park Time.
Where to Watch
Celtic v VfB Stuttgart will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1 with coverage starting at 7.45pm. Subscribers can also live stream the match on the discovery+ website and app.
Free highlights will be available on the TNT Sports Football channel on YouTube after full-time.
For supporters outside of the Britain and Ireland check uefa.com for a full list of broadcasters around the world.
Predicted Score
Bookies have VfB Stuttgart as clear favourite to win both this evening and also the tie as a whole. Some decent value on a Celtic result this evening with a 2-1 win to take over to Germany next Thursday. Goals from Dazien Maeda and Tomas Cvancara giving Celtic the victory.
COYBIG
