Celtic manager Martin O'Neill accepted full blame for his side's dramatic exit from the Champions League following a shocking 5-4 aggregate defeat to LASK in Austria. The Scottish champions travelled to the Raiffeisen Arena holding a comfortable four-goal lead from the first leg, but suffered a stunning second-half collapse that ended in extra-time heartbreak.
The result marks one of the most painful European nights in the club's history, eclipsing last season's penalty shoot-out elimination against Kairat Almaty at the same stage. Celtic looked firmly in control before the interval, but a lack of defensive resilience allowed the Austrian hosts to completely overturn the deficit amid a hostile away atmosphere.
Speaking to reporters after the final whistle, O'Neill did not shy away from the magnitude of the failure. The manager admitted the defeat surpassed the pain of the 2003 UEFA Cup final loss, noting that a qualifying match of this stature should have been safely navigated. He added that the squad remains a long way from the finished article and acknowledged the urgent need for internal improvement.
The missed qualification delivers a severe blow to the club's financial planning and prestige. O'Neill pointed out that reaching the tournament's group stage is vital on multiple fronts, including attracting top-tier talent during the closing stages of the transfer window. Without the lucrative revenue stream guaranteed by the competition, recruitment plans could face significant constraints.
Captain Callum McGregor offered a scathing assessment of the team's performance, stating that the visitors got exactly what they deserved. The midfielder criticized the squad's passive approach and admitted they appeared frightened to chase the victory. McGregor emphasized that the players must take accountability rather than seek external excuses.
Former Celtic captain Scott Brown praised LASK for their relentless work rate and superior energy levels throughout the match. Meanwhile, former manager Neil Lennon observed that the Scottish side appeared physically exhausted and fragile in physical duels as the momentum shifted completely toward the home team.
The squad must now regroup quickly to focus on domestic commitments. O'Neill stressed that lifting the players and restoring confidence following such a heavy psychological blow falls squarely on his shoulders as the club prepares for the remainder of the season.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC Sport. Read the original report at BBC Sport.
