Celtic 1-4 VfB Stuttgart – Celtic Car Crash Finally Happened | OneFootball

Celtic Car Crash Finally Happened -Get Them Out!

Jamie Leweling of VfB Stuttgart scores his team’s third goal 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)

We all saw it coming, but it was still painful to watch as Celtic crashed and burned in Europe against VfB Stuttgart at Celtic Park last night.

Having pulled the points out of the fire domestically in the last three matches with last-gasp winners, the inevitable happened, and our shortcomings were laid bare at a morgue-like Parkhead.

That last statement says it all as the Bhoys were caught with their pants down against a decent, but beatable side.

The German fans sang like we should have, as our prawn sandwich brigade yawned their way to defeat. Where is the rousing support which had us lauded around Europe for so long?

Having something to cheer would help, but our substandard, toothless players gave them nothing, save for a gift which Ben Nygren accepted gratefully.

Celtic were poor in all areas across the pitch, from our hapless goalkeeper to our insipid ‘strike force’.

Kasper Schmeichel was the main culprit, not only with his failure to stop shots my granny would have parried with a fag in her mouth, but his distribution which put his groaning defence on the back foot, time and again.

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)

Our centre-halves looked like they had lead in their boots at times, especially when it came to covering the free-running strikers. Nobody stopped the first tame effort from reaching the ghost, and nobody jumped to stop the same player nodding tamely into the net in the centre of the sieve. Appalling defending!

It went from bad to worse. We allowed a shot from distance to worry the errant Kasper once again, and, once again, he failed to get down as it hit the net to put the chuckling Germans 3-1 up.

We offered next to nothing in return and were lucky that VAR intervened when our defence was carved open like Christmas turkeys.

As Stuttgart battered our door down when we should have been camping on their doorstep, they finished the tie with a fourth.

The trip to Germany for the return leg should prompt the unfortunate, booked-up travelling fans to pack their lederhosen, and find a beer garden; it’s the only joy they are likely to find over in Baden-Württemberg. If you can’t beat em’…

Martin O’Neill’s post-match comments divided the divided fans even further. The legend reckoned that, in defence of Schmeichel, the Dane had done well in both his recent tenures under his tutelage. I respect his decision to not throw Kasper under a bus, but, Celtic fans are not stupid. He must be replaced.

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)

Martin responded that he did not hear the boos aimed at the ‘keeper towards the end of the match. Again, what else was he to say? I thought the boos were unnecessary, and out of order. It’s not the Celtic way. I once heard Dalglish, (yes, Dalglish!) booed off when substituted after half-time in the 70s – I thought we had evolved from such behaviours since then!

The boss defended Celtic saying we have no money, yet we are around £70,000,000 in credit with the bank! Comparing us to EPL teams does not fly with the support. Nor does it with me. Show me the money!

O’Neill was asked if we could turn this around in Germany. His answer was telling. He said that Celtic will be a major European force again – someday.

It will not be next week, or next year. Celtic are in crisis despite our reasonable chance of the Title. Me? I think we will be beaten at an overpriced Ibrox, either in the league, or the Cup. Maybe both? We are, quite simply, NOT the best.

Sebastian Tounekti 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)

We need rid of Michael Nicholson and Dermot Desmond. Their tenure at Celtic has become toxic, and, for the sake of our club, they must be removed. I believe at least one will go in May. Get Them Out!

If, IF, we win the double, it will make no difference. Here’s to a clear-out, and a hopeful (prayerful) double Ibrox victory, one in front of the full ‘Free Broomloan!’

Hail Hail!

Eddie Murray

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order

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