Celtic has more important games than Stuttgart dead rubber

The Stuttgart return clash is now a dead rubber. Celtic should play a second string side with the infinitely more important fixtures at Ibrox and Pittodrie in mind…

Celtic v VFB Stuttgart at Celtic Park ahead of the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic FC and VfB Stuttgart at Celtic Park on February 19, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

As we go over the events of last night with a fine tooth comb, it just doesn’t get any better, and we just have to hold our hands up and admit we were beaten by a much better, stronger and talented side on the night.

Even more concerningly, we still have the second leg to negotiate next Thursday, but as far as I am concerned, and I’d guess the overwhelming majority of you will agree, is that we are already out of the competition, with there being literally no chance of overcoming such a deficit against a better side than ourselves.

With that in mind it makes perfect sense to play a second string side at the MHP Arena in six days time.

Kasper Schmeichel of Celtic looks dejected during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic FC and VfB Stuttgart at Celtic Park on February 19, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

Of course you can never say never, but it’s more likely that theRangers will go the rest of the season without being awarded a spot kick, than Celtic winning by four clear goals in Germany. It’s not a defeatist attitude, it’s just being realistic. Playing a weakened side could backfire and we could receive a thumping, but playing our strongest XI could have the same outcome, so it’s a no brainer in my opinion.

Especially with a tough trip to Ibrox looming the Sunday after VfB Stuttgart, the first of two trips to Govan in a seven day period, with a game at Pittodrie sandwiched in between!

We should be looking to rest the likes of Julian Araujo, Auston Trusty, Kieran Tierney, Callum McGregor, Tomas Cvancara, Reo Hatate, Sebastian Tounekti, Daizen Maeda, and Benjamin Nygren, and giving the likes of Tony Ralston, Marcelo Sarrachi, Dane Murray, Paulo Bernardo, Luke McCowan, James Forrest and Junior Adamu some much needed game time with that in mind.

Fans of Celtic are seen leaving the stadium early during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic FC and VfB Stuttgart at Celtic Park on February 19, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

It’s now no more than a dead rubber, and we have much more important issues to worry about domestically. Martin O’Neill has a lot of thinking to do, but treating the trip to Germany as nothing more than a friendly is the most appropriate option.

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The Stuttgart return clash is now a dead rubber. Celtic should play a second string side with the infinitely more important fixtures at Ibrox and Pittodrie in mind…

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