They did not go gentle into the night. As expected, Celtic’s interest in the Europa League came to an end. The manner in which the curtain came down on Martin O’Neill and his players for another year proved to be a pleasant surprise for all who witnessed it.
Having watched their side being torn asunder 4-1 in the first leg in Glasgow last week, many visiting supporters might have questioned the wisdom in leaving the bars in Stuttgart in the afternoon for a vantage point in the MHP Arena.
Bluntly, seeing Celtic fall to a worse aggregate defeat than the 5-0 hammering by Juventus 16 years ago seemed eminently possible.
By the end of the evening, though, those fears were wholly misplaced. A much-changed side showed character in abundance and left the stage with their heads held high.
They ran their hearts out and restored a degree of pride by showing the kind of spirit which has been conspicuous by its absence far too often this season.
While there was to be no miraculous turnaround, a little bit of history was created nonetheless; For the first time since they first participated in Europe, Celtic won on German soil.
If there is such a thing as a good way to exit a tournament then this was certainly it.
Martin O’Neill salutes the away fans after his Celtic side won 1-0 away to Stuttgart
O’Neill’s men struck early through Luke McCowan and didn’t roll over when Stuttgart eventually came at them.
To register a clean sheet in such circumstances against a team presently sitting fourth in the Bundesliga was a highly commendable achievement.
It should do wonders for the confidence of all concerned. The outcome might just be the turning point in what’s been an extremely challenging season.
Ahead of the trip to Ibrox on Sunday, the veteran manager now has some selection headaches of the right kind.
This display was simply night and day from the dismal show O’Neill’s players produced as they capitulated seven days previously.
Playing with a freedom, their possession was connected and purposeful. They offered a threat whenever they advanced over the halfway line and gave little up cheaply at the back.
After making eight changes, O’Neill didn’t have a failure on the night.
Viljami Sinisalo was assured in goal and made a compelling case to retain his spot.
Dane Murray kept things simple, Marcelo Saracchi dug deep and Junior Adamu used his physicality to occupy the Stuttgart central defenders.
Off the boil lately, both Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda issued reminders of their qualities while Hyun-jun Yang was sharp and threatening throughout.
On a night when many positives abounded, though, the performance of Luke McCowan was the standout.
The midfielder seemed to be everywhere until his legs could give no more – making blocks and supporting runs, carrying the ball, recycling it.
Claimed in the opening minute, a first European goal will be a considerable consolation. It gave Celtic something to hang onto.
To stand any chance of pulling off a miracle, it was imperative that the visitors struck first.
To do so inside 30 seconds was beyond the wildest dreams of those who’d travelled across from Scotland.
With the Germans sloppy from kick-off, Callum McGregor stepped in and fed Yang. The winger in turn picked out Adamu who played in McCowan.
Exhibiting ice-cool composure, the midfielder rolled the ball away from Alexander Nubel and into the far corner. What an astonishing start.
It might soon have got even better. Adamu twisted his hips and delivered a dangerous low cross from the right. Maeda just couldn’t sort his feet out. The Germans briefly looked rattled.
Sebastian Hoeness’s men finally put a foot on the ball. Jamie Leweling smashed one on target. Sinisalo watched it all the way.
Badredine Bouanani then unleashed a fierce left-footer which the Finn did exceptionally well to field.
Celtic’s diligence on the back foot was exemplified by Yang racing back 30 yards to prevent Leweling letting fly after an intelligent link-up by Deniz Undav.
While Bouanani’s attempt at converting Leweling’s deep cross was woeful, the pressure was mounting.
Colby Donovan had the toughest task of anyone on the pitch by trying to shackle Leweling. Turned inside out, he picked up the game’s first booking.
Celtic still had their moments, notably from a string of corners. Nubel was fortunate that the referee adjudged Adamu to have impeded him as they contested one just before the break. Maeda should still have hit the target.
To Donovan’s relief, Leweling was surprisingly replaced at the break by Chris Fuhrich. The logic behind Hoeness’ thinking was soon made clear.
Showing Donovan a clean pair of heels, the substitute crossed for Bouanani. Saracchi was in the right place at the right time to block.
Luke McCowan scored the only goal of the game in the first minute of the match
O’Neill replaced his young full-back with Tony Ralston with Adamu also making way for Tomas Cvancara.
Maeda ought to have done better than fire straight into Nubel’s arms although the use of his hand would have ruled a goal out in any event.
O’Neill was fizzing when the referee allowed play to go on when Tiago Tomas flattened McGregor. The energy Stuttgart were now showing was just as concerning.
Stepping onto his left foot, Bouanani’s strike from the edge of the box looked in all the way. An excellent stop by Sinisalo ensured the visitors kept breathing.
Fuhrich did beat the Celtic keeper with a stinging strike, but not the offside flag.
O’Neill hit the gamble button with introductions of Seb Tounekti, Benjamin Nygren and Kelechi Iheanacho.
Celtic were rightly angered when Stuttgart thought they’d levelled through Undav. Off the park for treatment, Ermedin Demirovic should never have been allowed to join in with an attack by the fourth official. Mercifully for the official, an offside flag came to his rescue.
Murray’s outstanding block minutes later ensured Undav was again denied his moment. With the clock running down, Sinisalo again kept Fuhrich at bay by springing to his left.
Played in by Iheanacho in the final minute, Tounekti worked the keeper but just not enough to set up a grandstand finish.
Celtic were out. Just not in the manner that most expected.
And so, 190 days after a goalless draw at home to Kairat Almaty, it ends.
A rollercoaster of a run witnessed some crushing lows and some notable highs.
O’Neill will be thankful that what’s likely to be his last European charge at least ended in the latter.
