Given Celtic's domestic dominance, European nights are what supporters live for. However, excitement could not be any lower among the fanbase ahead of Thursday's trip to Neckarstadion. That's because, those travelling to Germany could be about to witness the club's heaviest-ever two-legged European defeat.
A week ago, Stuttgart turned up in Glasgow and taught the Scottish champions a lesson. Sebastian Hoeneß's side smashed Celtic 4-1 at Parkhead, with Bilal El Khannouss bagging a first half brace, before goals from Jamie Leweling and then Tiago Tomás ended the tie as a contest. This will represent die Schwaben's first victory in the knockout stages of any UEFA competition since victory over Genk 13 years ago, marching into the last 16 to face either Braga or Porto.
On the flip side, a hammering in Baden-Württemberg could mean this tie ranks among the club's most embarrassing European aggregate exits.
Celtic's heaviest two-legged European defeats
Opponent | Year | Competition | Aggregate score |
|---|---|---|---|
Juventus | 2013 | Champions League round of 16 | 5-0 |
Bodø/Glimt | 2022 | Conference League first knockout round | 5-1 |
Arsenal | 2009 | Champions League play-offs | 5-1 |
Hamburg | 1996 | UEFA Cup 1st round | 4-0 |
Paris Saint-Germain | 1995 | Cup Winners' Cup 2nd round | 4-0 |
Neuchâtel Xamax | 1991 | UEFA Cup 2nd round | 5-2 |
Rapid Wien | 1984 | Cup Winners' Cup 2nd round | 4-1 |
Valencia | 2019 | Europa League round of 32 | 3-0 |
Amazingly, the club have only ever lost a two-legged tie by three or more goals on eight occasions. This is despite Celtic's long, storied and illustrious European history, playing 425 matches in UEFA competition to date, the majority of which has provided misery in recent times.
The club's record aggregate defeat remains a 5-0 hammering at the hands of Juventus in 2013, arguably more ignominiously demolished 5-1 by Bodø/Glimt down in the Conference League under Ange Postecoglou.
Well, 4-1 behind following the first leg at Parkhead, a three-goal loss in Stuttgart on Thursday, which certainly isn't out of the question, would therefore be a record-breaking result, for all the wrong reasons.
Is another Europa League hammering on the cards?
Considering they boast a three goal advantage, there is little reason for Stuttgart to go full throttle from the word go in this second leg. Die Schwaben sit fourth in the Bundesliga and host strugglers Wolfsburg on Sunday, so perhaps Celtic will be hoping they show some mercy.
If Hoeneß's team do go for it however, it could be another European hiding for the Hoops.
Celtic's record defeats in secondary and tertiary UEFA competitions
Opponent | Venue | Year | Competition | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Neuchâtel Xamax | Stade de la Maladière | 1991 | UEFA Cup second round | 5-1 |
Bayer Leverkusen | Parkhead | 2021 | Europa League group stage | 4-0 |
Utrecht | Stadion Galgenwaard | 2010 | Europa League play-off | 4-0 |
MTK Budapest | Népstadion | 1964 | Cup Winners' Cup semis | 4-0 |
Stuttgart | Parkhead | 2026 | Europa League knockouts | 4-1 |
Sparta Prague | Parkhead | 2020 | Europa League group stage | 4-1 |
Sparta Prague | Stadion Letná | 2020 | Europa League group stage | 4-1 |
Roma | Parkhead | 2025 | Europa League league phase | 3-0 |
Zenit Saint Petersburg | Krestovsky Stadium | 2018 | Europa League last 32 | 3-0 |
Paris Saint-Germain | Parkhead | 1995 | Cup Winners' Cup last 16 | 3-0 |
Outside of the European Cup or Champions League, Celtic have only ever lost ten European matches by a three goal margin, two of which have come this season, previously smashed by Roma in December during Wilfried Nancy's ill-fated tenure.
Last Thursday's hammering was just the second times the Celts have shipped four at home in front of a crowd in such a fixture, the other also coming against Bundesliga opposition, namely Bayer Leverkusen.
The only time the Hoops have shipped five or more goals in a secondary or tertiary tournament came against Neuchâtel Xamax on a disastrous night for Liam Brady's team in the UEFA Cup 35 years ago. Well, is that record in danger of being beaten by Stuttgart on Thursday?