Celtic are back at Celtic Park this week with Martin O’Neill’s side taking on Bundesliga contenders VfB Stuttgart (currently in fourth position) on Thursday night in the Europa League play-off round first leg…
The Hoops will be looking at building a lead to take back to Germany a week on Thursday as Martin O’Neill looks to become the first Celtic manager since….Martin O’Neill…to win a knock-out tie in a European competition outside of qualifiers.
After the dust is settled on the Stuttgart games Celtic face a trip to Ibrox to face theRangers in the Scottish Premiership with that crucial encounter coming just three days after the game in Germany.
In between the two Europa League matches Celtic take on Hibs at Celtic Park this Sunday afternoon and we now have details of the match officials for both upcoming matches at Paradise.
Celtic v VfB Stuttgart – Europa League Play-off, first leg
For Celtic v VfB Stuttgart in the Europa League play-off, on Thursday evening at Celtic Park (kick-off 8pm) UEFA.com have confirmed the following match official appointments…
Referee – Erik Lambrechts (Belgium)
Assistant referees – Mathias Hillaert and Kevin Monteny (both Belgium)
Fourth official – Jasper Vergoote (Belgium)
Video Assistant Referee – Bram Van Driessche (Belgium)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee – Pol van Boekel (Netherlands).
Match referee Erik Lambrechts needs no introductions to Celtic centre back Liam Scales as the Belgium shows the Irishman a red card at Wembley in the Nations League match back in November 2024.
Celtic’s extra earnings from Europa League progress
Celtic banked an extra €300k in UEFA performance payments when they qualified for the Europa League knockout play-off round. And advancing into the last 16 of the competition would see Celtic earn another payment from UEFA as a performance bonus.
As opposed to the league phase system, where wins earned clubs €450k and draws €150k, payments are made for qualification only in the latter rounds of the tournament.
Therefore, if Celtic were to be eliminated, then they would not receive any further UEFA performance payments – even if they won or drew in either leg. Advance in the competition, though, and the club would bank another €1.75m from UEFA for making the last 16.
Celtic – Hibs – Scottish Premiership
Then on Sunday afternoon at Celtic Park for the match between Celtic and Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership (kick-off 3pm) the match officials line-up, as confirmed on the official Scottish FA website, will be as follows…
Referee – Matthew MacDermid
Assistant Referees – Daniel McFarlane and Chris Rae
Video Assistant Referee – Grand Irvine
Assistant Video Assistant Referee – Ross Hardie.
Sunday’s referee Matthew MacDermid has handled eight Celtic matches in the Scottish Premiership with the Hoops winning seven and the other ending in a draw.
No surprises in Women’s Scottish Cup Draw
Celtic FC Women’s reward for a hard fought 4-3 win away to Hearts in the Women’s Scottish Cup at the weekend is a semi-final draw against Glasgow City. In the other semi-final theRangers will face either Dundee United or Montrose. Ties will be played on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 May.
Here are some images from Celtic FC Women’s quarter final win after extra time against Hearts on Sunday. A reminder that The Celtic Star’s hitherto extensive coverage of the women’s team has been frustrated by the actions of the Celtic Board in banning fan media coverage, including at women’s games.
Anyone surprised at that draw? Didn’t think so…
All photos below from AJ (The Celtic Star).
End the Bans call from Celtic Fans Collective
Following the incredible scenes after Julian Araujo’s 97th minute winner at Rugby Park, the Celtic Fans Collective has issued a call for the bans to be lifted immediately so that Celtic Park can be at capacity and at its loudest for the Europa League playoff against VfB Stuttgart on Thursday night.
The Collective’s short message said this:
“Celtic fans were in fine voice throughout at Rugby Park, proving once again how inspirational a vocal support can be. With a monumental few months in store, it would be beyond negligent if the Celtic board continue with their suspension of the Green Brigade. End the bans.”
Celtic fans were in fine voice throughout at Rugby Park, proving once again how inspirational a vocal support can be.
With a monumental few months in store, it would be beyond negligent if the Celtic board continue with their suspension of the Green Brigade.
End the bans. pic.twitter.com/b05APA41sx
— Celtic Fans Collective (@CFC_Collective) February 16, 2026
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