Celtic Out Of Europa League Despite Win At Stuttgart

Stuttgart’s German midfielder #06 Angelo Stiller (R) reacts at the end of the UEFA Europa League knockout round playoff second leg football match VfB Stuttgart v Celtic in Stuttgart, southern Germany, on February 26, 2026. (Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE / AFP)

Celtic bowed out of the Europa League on Thursday after losing 4-2 on aggregate to Stuttgart despite a 1-0 away win in the second leg of their knockout-phase playoff tie.

After last week’s 4‑1 defeat in Glasgow left Martin O’Neill’s side facing a three‑goal deficit, they made the ideal start to the second leg, with Luke McCowan finding the net inside the opening minute.

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Stuttgart’s Bosnian forward #09 Ermedin Demirovic (2nd R) receives medical treatment during the UEFA Europa League knockout round playoff second leg football match VfB Stuttgart v Celtic in Stuttgart, southern Germany, on February 26, 2026. (Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE / AFP)

But Celtic could make no further inroads, and their exit left the Scottish champions still seeking a first European knockout tie victory since 2004, with their domestic supremacy also under threat this season from Hearts.

Stuttgart’s German defender #29 Finn Jeltsch (L) and Celtic’s Austrian forward #09 Junior Adamu vie for the ball during the UEFA Europa League knockout round playoff second leg football match VfB Stuttgart v Celtic in Stuttgart, southern Germany, on February 26, 2026. (Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE / AFP)

Stuttgart advance to the last 16 and will find out in Friday’s draw whether they face Porto or Braga in the next round.

Stuttgart’s Bosnian forward #09 Ermedin Demirovic reacts injured on the pitch during the UEFA Europa League knockout round playoff second leg football match VfB Stuttgart v Celtic in Stuttgart, southern Germany, on February 26, 2026. (Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE / AFP)

Nottingham Forest will look to join Aston Villa in the last 16 later on Thursday, taking a 3-0 lead into the second leg of their tie against Fenerbahçe at the City Ground.

AFP

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