Martin O’Neill hailed the “coronary heart and want” Celtic confirmed to beat Stuttgart regardless of being knocked out of the Europa League.
Celtic went into the second leg at MHP Area trailing 4-1 on combination after a poor exhibiting at Celtic Park final week.
Nonetheless, they got early hope as Luke McCowan scored simply 28 seconds into the second leg, the membership’s earliest purpose on report (since 2004-05) in a serious European sport.
They had been unable to construct on their lightning-quick begin, although they held sturdy to make sure they earned a historic win in what may very well be O’Neill’s ultimate ever European match.
This victory was Celtic’s first-ever in Germany in a serious European competitors, ending a run of 16 with no win within the nation (D4 L12).
And O’Neill was delighted with the angle his facet confirmed to salvage some delight after the frustration of the first-leg end result.
“I’ve been delighted with the group, completely delighted with the facet,” O’Neill advised CelticTV.
“The fourth purpose actually deflated us final week, but when we may contest tonight and possibly get an early purpose, or no less than not concede early on…
“What can we do? Properly, Luke scored an important purpose for us inside a minute or two of the sport, after which we’ve acquired one thing to go for.
“The gamers confirmed nice dedication. At instances, we performed some very nice soccer as properly. I used to be so pleased with the group, so pleased with the supporters as properly, who stored us going.
“Total, it was a superb effort. Coronary heart and want is one thing that, within the scheme of issues, remains to be necessary.
“Now coronary heart and want is not going to win you each single soccer match, you’ve acquired to have the ability to have the flexibility to get it down, play beneath stress, all these issues, however it does assist when the going will get robust.”
Celtic’s consideration will instantly flip to the Outdated Agency derby in opposition to bitter rivals Rangers on Sunday, with each groups trying to put the stress on Hearts on the prime of the Scottish Premiership.
And O’Neill admitted that Viljami Sinisalo has given him “meals for thought” after a powerful efficiency.
He changed Kasper Schmeichel, who performed the primary leg, within the beginning line-up and made six saves as Celtic stored their first clear sheet within the Europa League this season.
And the goalkeeper says he will likely be “prepared” if known as upon once more.
“He’s [Schmeichel] been good with me, and we’ve acquired an important working relationship, all the time have achieved. I’m there to assist him, and he’s there to assist me,” Sinisalo advised TNT Sports activities.
“I do need to play, everybody does. That’s what soccer is and the way it needs to be. The extra probabilities you’ve got, the higher, and I’m glad I acquired my probability at present. No matter follows is less than me.
“It’s one other sport developing. If the supervisor decides to place me in, nice, I’m prepared for it. That’s not my determination. I can solely go on the market and play my finest.”
