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Celtic Hit by Historic Injury Crisis Ahead of Stuttgart Clash

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, February 26th 2026 at 12:41 GMT by The Scotsman
      Locales: GERMANY, UNITED KINGDOM

Stuttgart, Germany - Thursday, February 26th, 2026 - Celtic's Europa League ambitions are facing a monumental test as manager Martin O'Neill grapples with an unprecedented injury crisis ahead of tonight's crucial clash against VfB Stuttgart. An astonishing 14 first-team players are definitively ruled out of the match, with a further three currently listed as doubtful, leaving O'Neill forced to rely heavily on youth and untested talent.

The scale of the injury list is impacting more than just team selection; it's forcing a re-evaluation of Celtic's realistic prospects in the competition. While the club remains committed to fighting on all fronts, sources close to the team suggest the primary goal for the Stuttgart match is now focused on limiting the damage and gaining valuable experience for the younger players thrust into the spotlight.

Key figures are among those sidelined. Star striker Kyogo Furuhashi's absence is particularly damaging, robbing Celtic of their primary goal threat. His consistent scoring record has been vital to the club's success in recent seasons, and finding a suitable replacement with limited resources is proving incredibly difficult. Alongside Furuhashi, defensive stalwarts Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston are also unavailable, significantly weakening Celtic's backline. The loss of Stephen Welsh further exacerbates the defensive woes.

Beyond those prominent names, a significant portion of the squad are unavailable, including Sead Haksabanovic, Nawed Nawed, Mikey Johnston, Marco Tilio and Yuki Kobayashi. The sheer number of absentees points to a potentially deeper underlying issue - perhaps related to training intensity, recovery protocols, or even a viral outbreak within the squad - though official statements from the club have remained limited to simply listing the injured players.

To cope with the crisis, O'Neill has been forced to integrate several players from Celtic's B team into the travelling squad. While this provides an opportunity for young talents to gain invaluable experience at the European level, it also introduces a significant disparity in quality and experience compared to Stuttgart's established players. The risk of a heavy defeat looms large.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference, O'Neill acknowledged the severity of the situation. "This is undoubtedly the biggest injury crisis I've faced in my managerial career," he stated. "We're down to the bare bones, and it's a huge challenge. But we have a responsibility to Celtic to compete, and that's what we'll do. The young lads coming in are eager to prove themselves, and I have faith in their abilities."

Three players remain subject to late fitness tests, adding to the uncertainty. O'Neill remained tight-lipped about their identities, stating that the decision on their participation will be made shortly before kick-off. However, sources indicate these are minor knocks, unlikely to drastically alter the team's overall composition.

The limited positive news comes in the form of three players returning to the squad after overcoming their own recent injuries. While their return isn't enough to completely alleviate the crisis, it offers a small boost in morale and provides O'Neill with a few more options.

Stuttgart, meanwhile, are flying high in the Bundesliga and will undoubtedly view Celtic's depleted state as a prime opportunity to secure a comfortable victory. The German side boasts a strong squad with a wealth of attacking talent and a solid defensive foundation. A win tonight would all but guarantee their progression to the next stage of the Europa League.

The match promises to be a David versus Goliath encounter. Celtic's youthful side will need to display extraordinary resilience, tactical discipline, and a touch of magic to overcome the odds and give their fans something to cheer about. While a victory seems unlikely, a competitive performance and a glimpse of the future could be considered a success under the current circumstances.