Martin O’Neill praised the ‘heart and desire’ Celtic showed to beat Stuttgart despite being eliminated from the Europa League.
Celtic went into the second leg at the MHP Arena trailing 4-1 after a poor performance at Celtic Park last week.
However, they were given early hope when Luke McCowan scored just 28 seconds into the second leg, the club’s first ever goal (since 2004–05) in a major European match.
They were unable to build on their lightning start, although they stayed strong to ensure they recorded a historic victory in what could be O’Neill’s last ever European match.
This win was Celtic’s first ever in Germany in a major European competition, ending a run of 16 without a win in the country (D4 L12).
And O’Neill was delighted with the attitude his side showed to salvage some pride after the disappointment of the first leg result.
“I’m very happy with the team, absolutely happy with the squad,” O’Neill told CelticTV.
“The fourth goal really deflated us last week, but if we could compete tonight and maybe get an early goal, or at least not concede early…
“What should we do? Well, Luke scored a great goal for us within a minute or two of the game, and then we have something to aim for.”
“The players showed great determination. Sometimes we played very nice football. I was so proud of the team, so proud of the supporters, who kept us going.”
“Overall it was a brilliant effort. Heart and desire are something that are still important in the scheme of things.
“Now heart and desire are not going to win you every football match. You have to have the ability to master it, play under pressure, all those things, but it does help when the going gets tough.”
Celtic’s attention will immediately turn to Sunday’s Old Firm derby against bitter rivals Rangers, with both teams looking to keep the pressure on Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premier League.
And O’Neill admitted Viljami Sinisalo has given him food for thought after an impressive display.
He replaced Kasper Schmeichel, who played the first leg, in the starting line-up and made six saves as Celtic kept their first clean sheet in this season’s Europa League.
And the goalkeeper says he will be ‘ready’ if called upon again.
‘He is [Schmeichel] I was brilliant with me, and we have a great working relationship, always have. I’m there to help him, and he’s there to help me,” Sinisalo told TNT Sports.
“I want to play, everyone does. That’s what football is and how it should be. The more chances you have, the better, and I’m happy I got my chance today. What comes next is not up to me.”
“There’s another game coming up. If the manager decides to use me, great, I’m ready. That’s not my decision. All I can do is go out there and play my best.”
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