Celtic: Another Season, Another Failure - Where Did It All Go Wrong?
BBC Sport Scotland
Celtic's quest for Champions League qualification has ended in yet another devastating collapse, leaving the club to pick through the wreckage once more. This time, it was a 5-4 aggregate defeat to LASK that ended their hopes, despite leading 3-0 from the first leg.
In a season marked by six previous failed attempts to reach Europe's elite competition, Celtic's latest European campaign has been equally disheartening.
On paper, Martin O'Neill's side looked well-placed to progress, but a series of errors and a lack of competitive depth ultimately sealed their fate.
The collapse in Linz
Leading 3-0 from the first leg in Glasgow, Celtic took an early lead in Austria before enduring a devastating second-half onslaught. LASK's relentless attacks eventually paid off, with their fifth goal securing a dramatic victory and eliminating Celtic.
Questions Arise
Captain Callum McGregor acknowledged Celtic's performance was not good enough, describing them as "scared" and "passive." Ben Nygren, Auston Trusty, and Luke McCowan all made costly mistakes, while Celtic struggled to compete in midfield.
Former Celtic captain Scott Brown believes O'Neill took the fall to protect his players from the criticism that follows such a humiliating defeat. He also highlighted the lack of quality among the substitutes, attributing it to insufficient depth in key areas.
Celtic have made significant investments this summer, signing forwards Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran, midfielder Mika Baur, and winger Haissem Hassan. However, they've also seen several influential players depart, including Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels, raising concerns about their squad's readiness for European competition.
Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton questioned the timing of these player sales ahead of a crucial match, while Brown emphasized the importance of depth in dealing with such demanding fixtures.