adminCeltic’s players have returned to Glasgow following one of the most painful European nights in the club’s recent history, with manager Martin O’Neill and his squad facing intense scrutiny after their extraordinary Champions League collapse against LASK.
The Scottish champions travelled to Austria with a commanding 3-0 advantage from the first leg at Celtic Park. Their position became even stronger when captain Callum McGregor scored in the 21st minute of the second leg, stretching Celtic’s aggregate advantage to four goals.
However, what followed was a dramatic collapse that stunned Celtic supporters and observers across European football.
LASK responded through Moses Usor before Robert Ljubicic and Samuel Adeniran continued the comeback. Florian Flecker then scored in the final minute of normal time to make it 4-1 on the night and force extra time. Adeniran eventually struck again in the 109th minute to complete a remarkable 5-1 victory for the Austrian side.
The result meant Celtic lost the tie 5-4 on aggregate and were eliminated from Champions League qualification despite having held a four-goal advantage at one stage.
O’Neill Takes Responsibility
Martin O’Neill did not attempt to hide from the magnitude of the defeat. The Celtic manager accepted responsibility for the collapse and described the result as one of the most painful experiences of his time in charge.
O’Neill acknowledged that Celtic had opportunities to put the tie beyond LASK’s reach but failed to take them before allowing the hosts to build momentum.
The manager also admitted that his squad remains far from where he wants it to be, describing the team as being “a million miles” from the finished article.
His comments have added further pressure around Celtic following a result that has raised serious questions about the team’s mentality, defensive organisation and ability to manage difficult European matches.
Celtic Fans Demand Answers
The mood around Celtic has understandably changed dramatically since the final whistle in Linz.
Supporters watched their team surrender a seemingly unassailable advantage, with criticism now extending beyond individual players to the club’s wider sporting structure and recruitment strategy.
A Celtic supporters’ group has launched a strong criticism of the club’s leadership following the defeat, arguing that repeated European failures demonstrate deeper problems that need to be addressed.
For many supporters, the LASK defeat is particularly difficult to accept because Celtic appeared to have done the hard work after winning the first leg 3-0.
McGregor Admits Celtic Failed
Captain Callum McGregor was equally disappointed after the match and accepted that Celtic had failed to handle the situation properly.
The midfielder admitted that the team became passive during the comeback and apologised to supporters following the humiliating defeat. He also rejected the idea that the blame should rest solely with the manager, insisting that the players must accept responsibility for what happened.
McGregor’s comments reflect the frustration inside the dressing room as Celtic attempt to recover from a defeat that could have significant consequences for the remainder of the campaign.
Major Financial Blow
The Champions League exit is not only a sporting disappointment.
Celtic were expecting the financial benefits associated with reaching the league phase of Europe’s elite competition. Their failure to qualify means the club will miss out on a substantial revenue boost, with reports estimating the financial impact at tens of millions of pounds.
The setback could also influence Celtic’s transfer plans before the window closes, particularly with O’Neill now acknowledging that his squad still requires significant improvement.
Europa League Now Awaits
Celtic will now have to turn their attention to the Europa League after their Champions League dream ended in spectacular fashion.
The club has little time to dwell on the defeat, with domestic responsibilities continuing and supporters expecting a strong response from the players.
For O’Neill, the immediate challenge will be rebuilding confidence within the squad while addressing the weaknesses exposed by LASK.
Celtic’s return to Glasgow is therefore likely to be accompanied by difficult conversations, intense scrutiny and demands for improvement.
After surrendering a four-goal aggregate advantage, the club knows that simply moving on will not be enough. The response in the coming weeks could determine whether the LASK collapse becomes a painful setback or the moment that forces Celtic into significant changes.
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