Celtic's Champions League campaign ended in a dramatic and painful collapse as they succumbed to a resurgent LASK, surrendering a substantial aggregate lead and exiting the competition.
The Scottish side, who had appeared in control after a strong first-leg performance, saw their aspirations crumble in a second leg marked by defensive frailties and a loss of composure. Despite an early goal from Callum McGregor that extended their aggregate advantage to 4-0, Celtic failed to maintain their dominance.
LASK, spurred on by their home support, began to find a foothold in the match. The first sign of a significant wobble for Celtic came with Benjamin Nygren's misplaced pass, which directly led to LASK's equalizer on the night, making the aggregate score 4-1. Even with this lead, Celtic appeared unsettled.
The situation deteriorated further in the second half. Three minutes after the restart, a defensive lapse involving Auston Trusty allowed LASK to score their second goal, reducing the deficit to 4-2 on aggregate. This strike exposed a clear weakness that the Austrian side continued to exploit.
LASK's momentum built, and they netted a third goal just ten minutes later, casting doubt and pressure upon the Celtic squad. Reports indicate that parts of the Celtic team displayed signs of panic, with passes going astray and the team losing direction.
Manager Martin O'Neill, who later called it one of his worst nights in football, made multiple substitutions in a desperate attempt to stem the tide. However, these changes, made within a 12-minute span, had little discernible impact on the game's flow.
Celtic were unable to register a shot on target in the second half of normal time or in extra-time, highlighting their struggle to regain control. LASK's persistent pressure culminated in a deserved fourth goal in the 90th minute. By the end of the match, LASK had amassed 40 shots on Celtic's goal across the two legs.
The defensive line for Celtic, including Cameron Carter-Vickers who was playing through injury, along with Anthony Ralston, Dane Murray, Trusty, and Liam Scales, struggled to contain the onslaught. The final goal of the match, described as a mercy, further underscored Celtic's complete capitulation.
Callum McGregor's post-match criticism of his teammates was noted as the only coherent reaction from Celtic during a night described as spineless. The club's exit marks a significant disappointment in their Champions League aspirations.