Celtic went from four goals ahead on aggregate to staring at defeat in Linz, as LASK completed one of the most painful collapses in the club’s European history to win 5-4 on aggregate and send the Hoops into the Europa League.
Callum McGregor’s deflected finish in the 21st minute put Celtic 4-0 up on aggregate and appeared to put the tie beyond doubt. Instead, Martin O’Neill’s side conceded five unanswered goals across the remainder of normal time and extra-time. LASK’s 5-1 victory denied Celtic a place in the Champions League league phase.
Moses Usor pounced on a careless Benjamin Nygren back-pass to score in the 32nd minute, before Robert Ljubicic and Samuel Adeniran turned the tie on its head with strikes early in the second half. Florian Flecker’s 90th-minute header forced extra-time at 4-4 on aggregate, and Adeniran’s second goal of the night put LASK ahead in the tie for the first time.
A Lifeline That Went Begging
Reo Hatate’s foul on Krystof Danek gave Adeniran the chance to complete his hat-trick from the spot, but Viljami Sinisalo guessed correctly and saved the penalty. It proved to be only a brief reprieve, however, as LASK held on to complete the comeback.
The final whistle confirmed Celtic’s exit for the second consecutive season, following last year’s penalty defeat to Kairat Almaty at the same stage. Celtic had taken a 3-0 first-leg lead into the return match in Austria, only for the advantage to disappear after McGregor’s early goal had extended it to four.
O’Neill and McGregor React
Speaking to Amazon Prime, O’Neill said Celtic should have been out of sight by half-time after missing two good opportunities. He said his side gave LASK a lifeline before the break and another shortly afterwards, adding that the comeback was his responsibility.
McGregor also spoke to Amazon Prime after the match, saying Celtic got what they deserved and had been too passive. The captain apologised to the supporters and the club, and said there could be no excuses for losing the game in that manner.
Celtic will now play in the Europa League this season. The Europa League league-phase draw takes place on Friday, with the club left to regroup after a tie that had appeared firmly under control.
