Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has accepted responsibility following the club’s exit from the Champions League play-offs. The Scottish champions, who had established a four-goal aggregate lead against LASK, ultimately lost the tie after extra time. This marks the second consecutive year Celtic has failed to reach the group stage of the competition.
The match at the Raiffeisen Arena saw Celtic initially extend their aggregate lead when Callum McGregor scored in the 21st minute. However, LASK responded, with Moses Usor levelling the score on the night in the 32nd minute. The Austrian side continued their comeback in the second half with goals from Robert Ljubicic and Samuel Adeniran. Florian Flecker then scored in stoppage time, pushing the match into an additional 30 minutes.
O’Neill’s Reaction and Financial Impact
Following the defeat, Martin O’Neill was candid about his role. He stated, “I’m responsible for this one. Without a doubt.” He contrasted this disappointment with the Uefa Cup final in 2003, noting that while one was a final, the other was a qualifying game Celtic “should have been able to get through.”
The manager acknowledged the team is “a million miles from the finished article.” He also highlighted the significant financial implications of missing out on Champions League qualification. “The qualification for the Champions League is major, it’s major in every aspect. Financially, for prestige,” O’Neill explained, adding that the absence of the expected windfall could affect transfer window activities.
O’Neill was not in charge during Celtic‘s previous play-off exit to Kairat Almaty, which occurred a year ago and contributed to the end of Brendan Rodgers‘ second tenure. O’Neill had helped stabilise the club last season, guiding them to a league title and a Scottish Cup.
Player and Pundit Perspectives
Celtic captain Callum McGregor expressed his disappointment, telling Amazon Prime, “We got what we deserved. We were passive all night. We looked scared to go and win the game.” He also reflected on the first leg, stating, “I didn’t think we were that good in the first leg either. We scored at good times and got away with it.”
McGregor stressed the need for accountability, remarking, “It’s as much on the players as everyone else. You can’t look for excuses elsewhere.” He concluded by saying, “You’ll now see what people are made of. When you play like that you can’t have any excuses whatsoever.”
Former Celtic captain Scott Brown, speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, noted that LASK “outran Celtic in a couple of areas” and deserved to progress. Former manager Neil Lennon observed that Celtic appeared “exhausted” and “fragile in duels,” giving “huge credit to LASK.” Former midfielder Stiliyan Petrov suggested that “everyone [is to blame]” and that a club like Celtic “should be able to hold that out.”
The defeat means Celtic will now compete in the Europa League. The club had previously sold Arne Engels just before the first leg, a decision that some may question given the midfield control issues in Austria.
The tie began to unravel for Celtic in the second half. Ljubicic scored from 20 yards after Usor’s assist. Adeniran then curled a strike into the top corner from 25 yards in the 58th minute. Despite efforts to defend with four centre-backs and several substitutions, Celtic could not hold on.
Sinisalo made a save from a Tornich header, but Flecker converted the rebound. In extra time, Adeniran scored again from 25 yards after dispossessing Luke McCowan, securing LASK‘s progression.
The Hoops had other chances in the first half but LASK found a lifeline when Moses Usor capitalised on a loose pass from Benjamin Nygren. McGregor‘s opening goal came after Yang Hyun-jun‘s one-two with Kieran Tierney.
LASK continued to create opportunities throughout the match. Adeniran‘s final goal, which completed his brace, came with five minutes left in extra time, though Sinisalo later saved a penalty from the striker.
Source: bbc.com