Celtic manager Martin O'Neill delivered a scathing critique of fan protests and Scottish football's financial struggles after his side's 4-1 Europa League defeat to Stuttgart. The game was halted within seconds when supporters threw balls onto the pitch to protest against the club's board.

O'Neill condemned the action as sending the 'wrong message', stating, 'Anybody who thinks that's a good idea needs their heads examining.' He argued the protest, alongside ongoing battles between fans and owners, hinders Celtic's progress. 'That sort of thing does not help at all,' he said, highlighting how it benefits visiting teams like Stuttgart. O'Neill also pointed to the vast financial gap between Scottish clubs and European competition, suggesting a Premier League merger as a potential solution to Celtic's European woes. 'Eventually, if the SPL belonged to the Premier League, I don't think we'd have a problem,' he stated, emphasizing the need for Scottish teams to compete with the £40m-£50m spending power of top-tier sides.