Celtic Faces Tough Europa League Clash Amid Injury Crisis

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, February 17th 2026 at 9:26 GMT by The Scotsman
      Locales: GERMANY, UNITED KINGDOM

Stuttgart, Germany - February 17th, 2026 - Celtic travels to Germany today to face VfB Stuttgart in the second leg of their Europa League tie, burdened by a significant injury list and facing a tough battle to progress. Manager Martin O'Neill has announced a squad including players nursing knocks, highlighting the challenging circumstances surrounding the Hoops' European campaign.

The Scottish champions secured a narrow victory over Livingston at the weekend, providing a much-needed boost to morale, but the win came at a cost. A lengthy list of absentees continues to plague O'Neill's squad, leaving him with limited options for the crucial Europa League encounter. Key players Kyogo Furuhashi, Maik Nawrocki, Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Stephen Welsh, Marco Tilio, and Tomoki Iwata remain sidelined with injuries, and O'Neill has indicated that their return is still 'some time' away. This represents a significant loss of experienced personnel and attacking firepower for Celtic.

Adding to O'Neill's woes, James Forrest, Adam Idah, and Gustaf Lagerbielke are included in the travelling squad but are considered doubtful for the match due to their respective fitness concerns. O'Neill stressed the importance of not rushing players back from injury, stating, "We're looking at bringing people back, but we can't rush it. It's important to get them back fit, there's no point in bringing them back and they're not fit to play. It would be ridiculous." This cautious approach reflects a commitment to long-term player welfare, but it also exacerbates the immediate challenges facing Celtic.

Further compounding the problem, Greg Taylor is unavailable for selection due to a suspension, leaving a gap in the left-back position. This multi-faceted absence of key players forces O'Neill to rely on squad depth and potentially field a significantly weakened team against a strong Stuttgart side.

The confirmed Celtic squad travelling to Germany consists of Sam Raimsey, Joe Hart, Kelle Roos, Liam Scales, Anthony Ralston, Takashi Yano, Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Luis Palma, Paulo Bernardo, Hyeon-gyu Oh, James Forrest, Adam Idah, and Gustaf Lagerbielke. The inclusion of Forrest, Idah and Lagerbielke suggests that the manager may take a late call on their involvement, potentially utilising them from the bench if their conditions improve.

Stuttgart's Form and the Challenge Ahead

VfB Stuttgart, currently enjoying a resurgent season in the Bundesliga, present a formidable challenge for Celtic. They have consistently demonstrated strong attacking prowess and a solid defensive foundation. The first leg between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw at Celtic Park, meaning Celtic require a win or a high-scoring draw to progress to the next round of the competition. Playing away from home, and facing a team in good form, combined with the extensive injury list, makes this a particularly difficult task.

Tactical Considerations

With so many first-team players unavailable, O'Neill is likely to adopt a pragmatic approach. A focus on defensive solidity and counter-attacking opportunities may be favoured, leveraging the pace of Luis Palma and the experience of Callum McGregor. The form of goalkeeper Joe Hart will be crucial in keeping Stuttgart at bay, while the partnership between Liam Scales and Anthony Ralston at the back will be heavily tested. The fitness of James Forrest, should he be deemed fit enough to play, could provide a creative spark in midfield.

Long-Term Implications

The current injury crisis raises questions about Celtic's squad depth and the need for reinforcements in the upcoming transfer windows. While O'Neill has consistently emphasized the importance of youth development, the sheer number of injuries suggests that the club may need to invest in experienced players to cope with the demands of competing on multiple fronts. The Europa League campaign, while offering the allure of European glory, could ultimately be overshadowed by the club's domestic ambitions if key players remain unavailable for extended periods.

Celtic fans will be hoping for a resilient performance from their team, despite the significant challenges they face. A victory in Stuttgart would be a remarkable achievement, but even a respectable draw could keep their European hopes alive. The road ahead is undoubtedly tough, but the spirit of Celtic and the guidance of Martin O'Neill will be tested to the fullest.