LASK v Celtic: Martin O’Neill takes responsibility – BBC Sport
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Scottish Football
O’Neill takes responsibility with nowhere to hide for Celtic
Image source:
SNS
Image caption:
Celtic led LASK by four goals on aggregate, before losing the tie 5-4
By Scott Mullen, BBC Sport Scotland
Published 4 hours ago
In the open air of the Raiffeisen Arena, with bedlam all around, there was nowhere to hide for Celtic or Martin O’Neill. The Scottish champions had endured one of the darkest nights in their European history. After going out to Kairat Almaty on penalties last year at this stage of the Champions League play-offs, that is saying something.
Four goals up on aggregate against LASK, O’Neill’s Celtic somehow conspired to implode in a second half with little sign of a response on the way to a 5-4 aggregate loss following extra time. There was no hiding place, and the Celtic manager was frank when put in the spotlight at full-time.
"I’m responsible for this one," he said. "Without a doubt. Naturally it took me a long time to get over the Uefa Cup final in 2003 but this was majorly disappointing. In the context of things, one was a final which it would have been terrific to win, this was a qualifying game which we should have been able to get through."
Celtic blow four-goal lead to LASK in Champions League collapse
Exhausted & fragile – how Celtic’s capitulation unfolded
Published 5 hours ago
O’Neill was not in charge for that defeat in Kazakhstan a year ago as it triggered the start of the end for Brendan Rodgers’ second spell at Celtic Park. The current Parkhead boss helped steady Celtic’s ship last term following Rodgers’ exit and again following the Wilfried Nancy saga to guide them to another league title and a Scottish Cup.
This season appeared to get off to a prosperous start until the roof began to cave in over in Austria. Away from the raw pain of stumbling in such a stark way, the aftermath could be telling for Celtic who now have to not only pick themselves up, but finish off a transfer window without the hefty windfall which would have blown in with the Champions League qualification.
"The qualification for the Champions League is major, it’s major in every aspect," said O’Neill. "Financially, for prestige, but we have to pick ourselves up. That’s my responsibility again to do that."
I think I said last week that if you could qualify for the Champions League there would be players wanting to come on that basis. That’s not going to be the case but we’ll see.
What the players said:
"We got what we deserved. We were passive all night. We looked scared to go and win the game." – Callum McGregor, Celtic captain, Amazon Prime.
