Celtic Fans Boo Schmeichel, O'Neill Pushes Back

Schmeichel criticized by celtic fans

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill defends Kasper Schmeichel after Danish keeper booed by fans in Stuttgart loss. Fans also protested with mini balls thrown onto pitch.

“Kasper Schmeichel has done exceptionally well for me in my time here...”

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill defended Kasper Schmeichel after the Danish keeper was booed by his own fans in a 4-1 loss to Stuttgart. Schmeichel had a tough game, reacting slowly to Stuttgart's first goal and struggling to keep out a low drive for the third.

O'Neill isn't having it, though – he's standing by his man. “He's a top pro, one of the best in the business,” O'Neill said, backing Schmeichel to bounce back.

Kasper Schmeichel faced a tough time from Celtic fans, who booed him every time he touched the ball in the five minutes after Stuttgart's opener. The Denmark international even got a sarcastic cheer for saving a low drive from Tiago Tomas.

Coach Martin O'Neill admitted Celtic conceded "really poor goals,”  backing Schmeichel amidst the criticism. “We played Feyenoord in a game that we probably had to win, and I think it was 1-1 at the time, and he made an unbelievable save. Without that, we probably wouldn’t be here. This is a team game, and we all have to deal with it,” O'Neill said.

O'Neill was non-committal when asked about benching Schmeichel for Viljami Sinisalo, saying: “You're asking me a question here on Thursday night. Who knows what might happen at the end of it all?

“All I will say is Kasper Schmeichel has played so many games, he’s had some dips in his time, and he’s come right back.

“Kasper Schmeichel has done exceptionally well for me in my time here.”

Puha, Kasper Schmeichel! Hvis Mads Hermansen fortsætter med at stå for West Ham og præstere godt, og Schmeichel ikke leverer i Celtic, så bør der skiftes på målmandsposten. Det nytter ikke noget at have en målmand der står pga hvor god han engang var… 🤷🏻‍♂️pic.twitter.com/m8mEwC5buo

— Sandro Spasojevic (@SandroSpaso) February 20, 2026

O'Neill slammed fans for disrupting the game with a protest, throwing mini balls onto the pitch seconds after kick-off. “Unbelievable” was O'Neill's verdict on the chaotic start.

O’Neill said: “Anybody who thinks that’s a good idea needs their head examining. 

“Can you imagine being a Stuttgart player now, and you’re worried about the crowd? The atmosphere, to begin with, was fantastic. And then suddenly that happens.

“One, it disrupts the game, obviously. And secondly, if I’m a Stuttgart player, I’m thinking, ‘I don’t feel too bad here. Don’t feel too bad, instead be intimidated by the situation. That helps no one.”