There are defeats, and then there are collapses that demand a reckoning. Celtic's exit from the Champions League qualifying rounds at the hands of LASK in Austria belongs firmly in the latter category — a second-half implosion so complete, so bewildering, that even the most measured post-match analysis struggled to make sense of it.

With four goals in hand on aggregate heading into the second leg at the Raiffeisen Arena, Celtic appeared to have one hand on a place in Europe's premier club competition. By the time the final whistle sounded, LASK had overturned that deficit entirely, running out 5-4 winners on aggregate following extra time. For a club of Celtic's standing, it is among the most painful European evenings in living memory.

Manager Martin O'Neill did not flinch when faced with the questions that followed. Standing in the open air after such a public unravelling, he offered no deflection. "I'm responsible for this one," he said plainly. "Without a doubt." He referenced his own personal catalogue of European pain — notably the UEFA Cup final defeat in 2003 — before making clear that this felt different, and in some ways worse. "In the context of things, one was a final which it would have been terrific to win," he said. "This was a qualifying game which we should have been able to get through."

O'Neill's candour was matched by his captain. Callum McGregor, speaking afterwards, offered no hiding place for the players either. "We got what we deserved," McGregor said. "We were passive all night. We looked scared to go and win the game." The Celtic skipper acknowledged that even the first leg had been less convincing than the scoreline suggested, and was equally direct about what comes next: "You'll now see what people are made of."

From the outside looking in, former Celtic figures were equally unsparing. Neil Lennon, watching on punditry duty, described a Celtic side that looked exhausted and fragile in physical duels, suggesting LASK could have inflicted an even heavier defeat. Former captain Scott Brown noted that LASK's two strikers had outworked and outrun Celtic's defence across the piece. Stiliyan Petrov put collective blame squarely on everyone involved — a sentiment that aligned with McGregor's own unflinching self-assessment.

The Financial and Footballing Fallout

Beyond the immediate hurt, the consequences stretch well beyond a single result. O'Neill had spoken openly in the build-up to this tie about the transformative value of Champions League qualification — not merely the prestige, but the financial muscle it provides heading into a transfer window. "The qualification for the Champions League is major, it's major in every aspect," he said after the defeat. "Financially, for prestige. But we have to pick ourselves up."

Celtic will now enter the Europa League qualifying rounds without the substantial revenue a Champions League campaign would have generated. That shapes what is possible between now and the close of the window in spades. O'Neill was candid that the prospect of Champions League football had been a selling point in recruitment conversations. That argument is, for now, unavailable to him.

It is worth noting that O'Neill returned to Parkhead during a turbulent period — first to steady things following Brendan Rodgers' departure, then again in difficult circumstances — and guided the club to both a league title and the Scottish Cup last season. There is credit in the bank. But European qualification at this level demands more than domestic consistency, and last night laid bare that Celtic, by their own manager's admission, remain a considerable distance from the standard required.

The focus now turns to how O'Neill — and his players — respond. McGregor's words felt like both an apology and a challenge: "This is what it's like to play at Celtic. You have to bounce back." Whether the squad has the character and the quality to do exactly that will define the weeks and months ahead.

Frequently asked

Why did Celtic get knocked out of the Champions League?
Celtic lost to Austrian side LASK 5-4 on aggregate in the Champions League qualifying rounds. Despite holding a four-goal aggregate lead going into the second leg, they conceded five goals in the second half and extra time to crash out.
Who is Martin O'Neill and what did he say after the LASK defeat?
Martin O'Neill is the Celtic manager. After the defeat in Austria, he took personal responsibility for the result, saying he was 'responsible for this one' and acknowledged that Celtic are 'a million miles from the finished article'.
What competition will Celtic be in after missing out on the Champions League?
After their exit from Champions League qualifying, Celtic are expected to drop into the Europa League qualifying rounds. The loss also has significant financial implications, as Champions League participation would have brought in substantially greater revenue.