Out of Europe - now Celtic face critical fortnight

ByThomas Duncan

BBC Sport Scotland

With the Europa League behind them, Celtic now face a season-defining fortnight.

By 14 March they could be motoring in the league with the wind at their backs and into the Scottish Cup semi-finals.

Or they could be further toiling to defend their title and staring at a trophyless campaign.

The first stop is Ibrox on Sunday for a titanic league match, with Celtic trailing Rangers by two points having played one game fewer, with Hearts six clear of the champions.

Then it is a midweek trip to Aberdeen, before returning to Ibrox in the Scottish Cup quarter-final and then hosting in-form and formidable Motherwell.

Six of their next seven matches are away from Celtic Park. This much-maligned Celtic squad is about to be stress-tested after a tumultuous first two third of the season.

"There will be a lot of twists and turns," former Celtic defender Johann Mjallby said on TNT Sports after the 1-0 victory over Stuttgart.

"I wouldn't be surprised if the league goes to the final day. But they will have to do it over the next five or six games. You have to be relentless, otherwise they won't take the trophies."

Despite the 1-0 win over Stuttgart proving moot in Celtic's quest to reach the last 16 of the Europa League after a 4-1 home loss, it could yet prove significant.

Martin O'Neill changed eight of his starting line-up and some of the fringe players put in eye-catching displays to secure the club's first ever win in Germany against the side fourth in the Bundesliga.

Luke McCowan stroked home the winner after just 28 seconds and played positively, while in the back four Dane Murray, and Marcelo Sarrachi stood out in a gutsy display.

Murray in particular made his case to start alongside Liam Scales with Auston Trusty suspended for the next three league games.

One magnificent block stood out and he was assured at defending corners.

But the most talked-about performance was saved for back-up goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo as he played his part in a first Celtic clean sheet in six matches.

Kasper Schmeichel, 39, has been under intense scrutiny after a series of errors, culminating in last week's slack performance in the home defeat by Stuttgart.

The 26-year-old from Finland stepped in and made six saves, in a display former Celtic midfielder Stiliyan Petrov described as "perfect".

Pat Bonner, the former Celtic goalkeeper, believes Sinisalo did enough to start against Rangers on Sunday.

"He had some very good saves and looked composed when he had the ball and read the game well," he said on BBC Scotland's Sportsound.

"It's a big decision for Martin O'Neill to make at the weekend. On that performance, I would be starting him. Give him a run in the team now."

The Celtic manager agreed several players have given him "food for thought".

"[Sinisalo] played brilliantly in the game, really well. That's the name all round the dressing room," the 73-year-old said. "He's got plenty of talent.

"Tonight, we made some changes. Some enforced, players stepped up to the plate but we didn't throw in 16-year-olds... these boys have played in the team and have shown they're capable of winning games.

"It wouldn't be a headache... A selection choice."

The other benefit of Celtic's win, was they showed they can grind out a victory.

Over the years Celtic have pitched up and naturally looked to dominate the ball from start to finish against every domestic opponent.

But this more fragile side had looked increasingly vulnerable in 2026, regularly conceding more than one goal per game.

Having not won at Ibrox in four attempts since September 2023 and given Rangers have won their last 10 home matches, a show of resilience in Stuttgart was timely.

Might Celtic take a slightly more pragmatic approach? Right now, it is all about winning.

"You don't have to have all the possession to win the game," Bonner said on Sportsound

"You've got to work hard, defend well, get a bit of luck and have a good goalkeeper.

"Celtic have not played well this season, but they are hanging in there [in the league]. They still have a chance, with a game in hand.

"The players will pick up great confidence from tonight - the weekend will be a critical one."