Celtic's European Caper: A Night of Champions League Disappointment
BBC Sport reports on Celtic's stunning collapse in the Champions League against LASK, highlighting the raw emotions of captain Callum McGregor.
Another Night of Champions League Heartache for Celtic
After throwing away a 4-0 aggregate lead, Celtic now faces a transfer to the Europa League.
By Tom English, BBC Scotland's Chief Sports Writer
Published 33 minutes ago
Callum McGregor, in a rare moment of fury after a European match, criticized his team-mates for their passivity and fear during Celtic's shocking defeat. He called them "passive" and "scared," a stinging commentary on the performance.
The intensity of McGregor's words underscored the magnitude of Celtic's collapse. Losing a 4-0 advantage in the Champions League is a rare feat, leaving many wondering where it ranks among Celtic's sporting failures.
A Familiar Scenario for McGregor
McGregor, a near-everpresent at Celtic for almost a decade, has been through numerous European battles. He's witnessed countless victories and disasters, but this was particularly brutal.
He's survived:
- The 0-0 draw against Kairat Almaty after leading 4-0 on aggregate last season.
- The 7-1 defeat by Borussia Dortmund and the 6-0 loss to Atletico Madrid.
- Play-off exits against Midtjylland, Sparta Prague (twice), Ferencvaros, AEK Athens, Cluj, and PSG (7-1).
- The 7-0 drubbing by Barcelona.
His scars are a testament to his resilience, but even he was seething after Tuesday's disaster. He didn't rant; instead, he spoke calmly, his words laced with anger at the team's capitulation.
A Night to Remember (or Forget)
The match started with McGregor scoring for Celtic, giving them a 4-0 aggregate lead. LASK pressed hard, and despite the early goal, Celtic crumbled, allowing their opponents to equalize and progress.
"Rabbits in headlights don't look as lost as Celtic did," remarked a commentator, capturing the stark contrast between the teams' performances.