Luke McCowan scores for CelticSNS

Luke McCowan's goal was the fastest in the Europa League since September 2016

At a glance

  • Celtic pick up rare away win in Europe but narrow margin not enough to overturn first-leg humbling

  • Luke McCowan scores after 28 seconds to give Celtic fast start but they fail find another route to goal

  • Hosts have ball in the net twice but both ruled out

  • Martin O'Neill makes eight changes ahead of Old Firm on Sunday, but captain Callum McGregor plays full 90 minutes

Sportsound: Celtic bow out despite historic night

26/02/2026 22:00

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Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Celtic pulled off a shock but impressive victory against Stuttgart for their first win on German soil, but it was not enough to avoid dropping out of the Europa League knockout play-offs.

Luke McCowan scored after just 28 seconds to give the much-changed visitors a glimmer of hope following last week's 4-1 defeat.

The hosts did have the ball in the net twice, but both goals were ruled out for offside. The first was scored by Chris Fuhrich, the second by Deniz Undav.

Despite Stuttgart's second-half siege, Celtic were able to hold on for a morale-boosting win going into a pivotal Old Firm double header.

There were positives to take, though. It was Celtic's first win in Germany in 17 attempts, while Martin O'Neill was also able to rest plenty of key players ahead of the Old Firm at Ibrox on Sunday.

The clean sheet, kept by back-up goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo with Kasper Schmeichel rested, will offer confidence while up front, the attacking trio of Daizen Maeda, Junior Adamu and McCowan looked threatening.

Analysis: Celtic confidence boosted ahead of season-defining derby

Starts don't get much faster than the one Celtic made in Stuttgart, but for much of the game it seemed more likely that the German hosts would find a leveller and motor away.

By the 25th minute, McCowan's goal was the only shot Celtic had taken as Stuttgart had made 18 entries into the final third.

Yet by half-time, it was still 1-0 and Celtic's backline was holding firm.

The second half followed a similar rhythm. Five minutes in, and Celtic had only completed five passes. In the second half, they had just four touches in Stuttgart's box.

But such was the strength of Scots' rearguard, O'Neill may well have a headache over his Sunday selections.

Will it be Brentford loanee Ben Arthur or Dane Murray? The latter was impressive on the night and made one superb block that denied Undav from close range.

In goal, will it be under-fire Schmeichel or number two Sinisalo, who kept Celtic in front with numerous saves? Calls for a change between the sticks have been loud from the stands, and will only grow following the Finn's fine performance.

Up top, will the attacking trio who flourished on the counter - Maeda, McCowan and Adamu - get the nod?

On another night, Maeda might have made it 2-0 within five minutes, but he could not get a touch on Adamu's cross.

Either way, Celtic will be content with their work. A three-goal win was a distant dream and failing that, they did everything else asked of them.

Now the question is, can they do it on Sunday with league contention on the line? Can they show another performance full of grit and heart at Ibrox?

Only time will tell.

What they said

Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill said: "Naturally I'm delighted with the effort and determination they put into the game. We got off to a really great start, and we felt if we didn't concede in the first 20 minutes and nicked a goal, we were still in the tie.

"We were playing a very good side, a side capable of winning the competition. I couldn't be more pleased with the team, their attitude and desire.

"Naturally, it's a different game [on Sunday at Rangers]. We don't have much time to get ready for it but we'll go again. We're staying overnight here, we'll travel back tomorrow. The result is in the lap of the gods but I genuinely think the players deserve an enormous amount of credit here."

What's next?

Celtic travel to Ibrox to face Rangers in the Old Firm on Sunday lunch-time (12:00).

Match stats

  • This is just the eighth game in major European competition history to see the winner in a 1-0 win scored in the first minute, with Celtic also the first side ever to score such a goal via a 1-0 European Cup semi-final win in April 1970 against Leeds.

  • Celtic have scored in the opening minute of eight major European matches, the most of any side in history.

  • Luke McCowan is the first Scotsman to score in the first minute of a major European game since Brian McClair for Manchester United against Montpellier in March 1991 in the Cup Winners' Cup.

  • Celtic's opening goal after 28 seconds was the earliest ever conceded by Stuttgart in a major European game.

  • Celtic's Callum McGregor made his 68th major European start for the club – just one behind the club record set by their 1967 European Cup winning captain Billy McNeill (69).

Player of the match

V. Sinisalo
8.68
30 Chema Andrés
5.90
18 J. Leweling
5.67
29 F. Jeltsch
5.55
16 A. Karazor
5.33
26 D. Undav
5.33
8 Tiago Tomás
5.33
11 B. El Khannouss
5.22
14 L. Jaquez
5.20
27 B. Bouanani
5.11
3 R. Hendriks
5.11
33 A. Nübel
5.00
10 C. Führich
5.00
6 A. Stiller
5.00
4 J. Vagnoman
4.90
7 M. Mittelstädt
4.80
9 E. Demirović
4.67
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