Sloppy defending by the Hoops saw Martin O’Neill’s men slump to a 4-1 defeat
Stuttgart are known as Die Rotten in their homeland. Celtic’s defending against the Germans was just dire – or plain rotten.
Martin O’Neil lwon’t have to worry any more about any fixture pile up caused by a run in the Europa League. The Hoops are sunk without a trace ahead of next week’s play-off second leg return after a calamitous night at Parkhead.
Angry Hoops fan lobbed tennis balls on to the pitch in protest against the board in the opening minute. And the team made a balls up as well in the following 89.
Celts went toe-to-toe with the Bundesliga big guns in spells but were severely punished for defensive gaffes – with fingers pointed once again at keeper Kasper Schmeichel. The big Dane lobbed in the opener after duffing his kick out and then failing to get down to keep out a dribbled drive from Bilal El Khannouss.
The on loan Leicester star buried a free header to make it 2-1 after Benjamin Nygren had briefly fired the Hoops level. But the comeback hopes were hit when Jamie Leweling let fly from 25 yards and the ball bounce up and through Schmeichel again.
Stuttgart thought they’d bagged a quick-fire fourth when Ermedin Demirovic’s classy chip was ruled out by VAR after spotting a leg hair offside.
Celtic did rally a tad towards the end but struggled to test keeper Alexander Nobel and Stuttgart continued to cause panic any time they pressed and Tiago Tomas did make it four when he waltzed through and coolly clipped past Schmeichel to round off a performance every bit as messy as the protest.
NO CASE FOR DEFENCE
There’s always a danger of getting opened up like a tin of peas when playing decent European teams.
But it’s not a great idea to hand these teams the can opener. O’Neill will be fuming at the goals conceded to Stuttgart – as they were presented on a plate.
Schmeichel looked at fault for the opener, with a poor clearance and then laboured attempt to get down to El Khannouss’s tame effort.
The second came from a deflected cross, but the on loan Leicester City man only had his thoughts for company in the six yard box and the keeper was slow getting down for the third as well.
It’s not just the backline to blame as the midfield – with the ineffectual Paulo Bernardo – had no bite either.
It’s not like this was an isolated occasion either. It’s not quite back to the wild Wilfried Nancy defending days, but Celts have managed just one clean sheet in their last eight games – and conceded 14 goals.
It’s a major worry for O’Neill going into the most crucial spell of the season.
JEEPERS KEEPERS
Speaking of Schmeichel, the great Dane’s form is becoming a problem with the frequency of ropy goals mounting up.
He looked at fault for a couple here.
There is no doubt the 39-year-old is still more than capable of heroics, and there have been some big saves this season.
Yet there also has been some dodgy moments and a pattern emerging with shots from distance.
Stuttgart had three shots on target at one stage here – and were 3-1 up.
O’Neill has backed his no.1 to the hilt – and it’s understandable. Schmeichel is a major part of the Celtic dressing room, and his experience could be vital in the coming weeks.
But he also has to be doing his main job – that’s keeping the ball out of the net.
EUR UP AGAINST IT
O’Neill must have been tempted to rest a few of his key men in the first leg but in the end he went for close to his strongest starting line-up.
It might be a different story in Germany next week.
Celtic are facing a long way back in the tie and with crucial domestic games coming thick and fast, there will be some big decisions for the boss.
It was similar back in 2022 when Ange Postecoglou sent out a shadow side for a second leg against Bodo/Glimt in Norway because he knew he had to keep his powder dry.
O’Neill has even less to work with than the Aussie had back then so he might have to go against his nature and prioritise.
Celtic should never be rolling up the white flag in Europe but the damage done this season will leave the manager no choice.
CRUMBS OF COMFORT
There wasn’t much to go on but if O’Neill might need to search for something to cling on to heading towards a season defining spell.
Up front Tomas Cvnacara put in a decent shift. He held the ball up well at times and got his team up the pitch.
The service was woeful but the frontman is obviously determined to make an impact and earn a permanent deal.
Benjamin Nygren continues to provide tremendous bang for his buck. Julian Araujo was a standout once again and if there’s any way to keep him beyond the summer, the Hoops board should be pulling out the stops.
LOAD OF BALLS
The Celtic board could do with a PR win. Cleary the showdown talks with fans groups on Wednesday didn’t go well then.
The Green Brigade ultras remained locked out while some of the punters in the ground made another protest – holding up the match moments after kick-off by lobbing tennis balls onto the pitch.
It took more than three minutes to clear the pitch and O’Neill and his players didn’t look too chuffed hanging around trying to keep warm.
But it was another disruption orchestrated by the Celtic Fans Collective and there could be more planned with no peace deal in the pipeline.
Interim chairman Brian Wilson has called for unity but he might need to call in the UN as it still looks a long way off and the season is very much on a cliff edge.