Celtic can’t let Thursday night’s thumping affect us, we won’t face a better side than VfB Stuttgart domestically. We can still win this title…
Kasper Schmeichel at fault for at least two of the Stuttgart goals in the 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 painful as Thursday’s reality check against VfB Stuttgart was, we can’t let it affect us with such vital games to come, starting today against Hibs at Celtic Park. Hearts got the three points yesterday and you would expect theRangers to do the same at Livingston today. Celtic must do the same by defeating Hibs at Celtic Park, despite the heavy legs from the European endeavours in the Europa League play-offs.
VfB Stuttgart team photo 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)
VfB Stuttgart are a formidable side, maybe not as talented as the elite sides of European football, they are competing in Europe’s second tier after all, but they are streets ahead of ourselves and anything else from the Scottish Premiership, that’s a sad fact that we can’t deny.
The Bundesliga side are miles in front of anybody we will face on a domestic level, so any of the doubters amongst our support should bear that in mind when they downplay our chances of winning the title.
Celtic supporters singing YNWA 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)
Current table toppers Hearts didn’t even qualify for European football this campaign, whilst our other title rivals theRangers finished just three points off bottom spot in Europes second tier, winning only one game out of eight. So we shouldn’t be fearing either of them.
The only threat to our chances of winning the title comes from within. We have the ability, and just as crucially we have the know what it takes to succeed in the goal of being crowned champions, something our fellow challengers lack. If we get our act together and cut out the lethargic attitude thats been lingering through our game, then we will get over the line with a bit of room to spare.
With no disrespect to the overwhelming majority of the sides in the league, we shouldn’t be scraping by, losing, or dropping any points at anytime in the campaign, never mind at the business end of the season, given the financial resources and pool of talent we bolster in our ranks.
Martin O’Neill arrives 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)
theRangers are a different story, due to the money that they have spent despite the media and Ibrox hordes regularly branding them as the underdog, and maybe Hearts to an extent, but like the rest of our domestic competition, we shouldn’t fear them as we are more than capable of overcoming each and everyone of them on our day.
VfB Stuttgart are levels above us at this moment in time, that is evident. But fortunately after Thursday, we won’t be facing a side as formidable anytime soon. Legs must be rested on Thursday night in Stuttgart – they will probably do the same – then we only have our domestic aspirations to think about as far as on the park goes.
Callum McGregor walks out 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)
Today we face a dangerous opponent who will sense their opportunity with the heavy legs and off the field turmoil at Parkhead but Celtic’s need is greater. Hopefully we can get a performance and a result and we must get behind the team from the word go.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
More Stories / Latest News
Celtic can set aside VfB Stuttgart humbling to achieve domestic triumphs
Kjetil Knutsen would show ambition, Jens Berthel Askou is more likely