Rangers will be happy with Celtic’s Europa League struggle for more than the obvious reason
Celtic’s chances of Europa League progression took a huge hit on Thursday night.
Martin O’Neill‘s side welcomed German outfit VfB Stuttgart to Parkhead on Thursday, with the two contesting the first leg of their Europa League Round of 32 tie.
Stuttgart are going well in the Bundesliga this season, sitting in fourth place and are well-positioned to qualify for next season’s Champions League via their domestic league finish this term.
However, Celtic also came into the game confident after winning five games on the bounce in all competitions, and especially after their 97th-minute winner away at Kilmarnock last Sunday.
- Read more: What Rangers have complained about in Scottish Premiership title race as more conspiracies expected
Celtic have to give Stuttgart second leg everything
However, things couldn’t have gotten off to a much worse start for Celtic on Thursday night, with Bilal El Khannouss giving Stuttgart the lead after just 15 minutes.
But, the home side were able to rally quickly, and with 21 minutes on the clock, Benjamin Nygren levelled the scores.
Disaster would strike again for Celtic soon after, however, as El Khannouss bagged his second of the night on 28 minutes, and Stuttgart weren’t done there.
After going into the half-time break 2-1 down, O’Neill would’ve been stressing the importance of staying organised in the early stages of the second 45, before looking to make a big push towards the end of the game.
However, Jamie Leweling made it 3-1 just 12 minutes into the second half, and the Germans eventually made it four in added time at the end of the game through Tiago Tomas.
The Greens now go to Germany for the second leg holding onto faint hope of a dramatic turnaround, much to the delight of Rangers.
Celtic play second leg just days before Old Firm clash
Had Celtic have dispatched of Stuttgart in style on Thursday night, O’Neill could’ve taken his side to Germany for the second leg on 26 February perhaps able to rest some key players.
That is now surely not going to be the case, and that will be music to Rangers’ ears, as just three days later on Sunday 1 March, the two Glaswegian rivals will contest the Old Firm derby at Ibrox.
It’s set to be a critical game in the race for the Scottish Premiership title, and with Gers getting a full week of rest in between after their match against Livingston on 22 February, they now surely hold a huge advantage over Celtic.
So, Rangers fans will be delighted to see Celtic not only lose against Stuttgart, but know that O’Neill will now surely have to put out his strongest XI just days before the Old Firm to give his side any chance of completing a comeback.
For even more Rangers news and opinions, head over to Football Insider.