Celtic secured a vital 1-0 away victory against VfB Stuttgart at the MHP Arena, reviving their UEFA Europa League campaign.
Liam Kelly's decisive second-half strike silenced the home crowd. This win earned Celtic three crucial points, moving them off the bottom of Group F.
VfB Stuttgart entered the match second in their group with three points. Their recent European form was mixed. Celtic, conversely, sat bottom with just one point, needing a positive result.
The opening exchanges saw a cautious start. Stuttgart tried to control possession via Enzo Millot. Serhou Guirassy made runs. Celtic maintained a disciplined defensive shape, absorbing early pressure.
Daizen Maeda offered pace for Celtic's counter-attacks. Opportunities were limited. It was a cagey affair, both teams struggled for chances. Defenses dominated the first period.
A notable chance fell to Stuttgart in the 20th minute. A powerful long-range shot forced Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart into a smart save. The first half remained tight, ending goalless.
Both managers faced tactical decisions at half-time. Stuttgart needed more directness. Celtic aimed to increase their offensive output and exploit gaps.
The second half began with renewed urgency from the German side. Stuttgart pressed higher, committing more players. This offensive push, however, created vulnerabilities at the back.
Celtic capitalized in the 72nd minute. A rapid counter-attack saw Luis Palma drove through midfield. He delivered a perfectly weighted pass to striker Liam Kelly inside the box.
Kelly took a touch and unleashed a clinical low shot. The ball nestled into the bottom corner of Alexander Nübel's net. Celtic gained a 1-0 lead. Away fans erupted in celebration.
Stuttgart immediately introduced attacking substitutions, bringing on Deniz Undav. Celtic, now ahead, defended deeper to protect their narrow advantage. Their organized play resisted pressure.
The final minutes became a frantic period. Stuttgart launched numerous attacks and created dangerous set-piece situations. Celtic's resilient backline held firm, repelling every effort.
Stuttgart finished with 15 shots (4 on target) and 58% possession. Celtic managed 8 shots (3 on target) and 42% possession. Expected goals were 1.4 for Stuttgart against Celtic's clinical 0.8.
This vital 1-0 victory propels Celtic to four points in the Europa League group stage. They now hold a much stronger qualification position. Stuttgart remains on three points.
