Celtic thrashed 4-1 by Stuttgart in Martin O’Neill’s 1,000th managerial game

Celtic fell to a 4-1 home defeat in the Europa League knockout round play-off first leg in Martin O’Neill’s 1,000th managerial game on Thursday.

Stuttgart went ahead in the 15th minute, with Bilal El Khannouss slotting the ball past Kasper Schmeichel.

Benjamin Nygren took advantage of a poor pass to restore parity for the home side. That was as good as it got for Celtic on a sorry night.

El Khannouss headed home Angelo Stiller’s to restore Stuttgart’s lead. The on-loan Leicester City midfielder threatened again in the 35th minute, but he failed to hit the target.

Jamie Leweling wasted a chance to give Stuttgart a two-goal cushion before half-time, blazing high from close range.

Leweling eventually made it 3-1 in the 57th minute, smashing the ball past the outstretched Schmeichel.

Ermedin Demirovic thought he had added to Stuttgart’s lead, but his effort was ruled offside. Alexander Nubel then made a great save to deny Nygren from pulling one back for the hosts.

Nikolas Nartey missed a chance to give Stuttgart a three-goal cushion, heading wide from close range, before Tiago Tomas finally made it 4-1 in stoppage time.

Julian Araujo squandered a golden opportunity to give Celtic a lifeline, but failed to hit the target with the net wide open.