Celtic collapse 5-1 at LASK, lose 5-4 on aggregate to miss Champions League

By: Jessica Hopkins

Celtic threw away a four-goal aggregate lead to be eliminated from the Champions League, losing 5–1 to Austrian side LASK at the Raiffeisen Arena.

The Scottish side, who had won the first leg in Glasgow 3–0, opened the scoring on Tuesday to extend their advantage in the tie. However, a defensive error allowed LASK to equalize on the night before half-time, and the hosts overwhelmed Martin O’Neill’s side in the second half.

Goals from Robert Ljubicic, Samuel Adeniran, and a 91st-minute strike from substitute Florian Flecker brought the aggregate score to 4–4, forcing extra time.

Houston-born Adeniran scored his second of the match to complete the remarkable turnaround. He later missed a penalty in the 115th minute, denying himself a hat-trick, but LASK held on to win 5–4 on aggregate.

The result means no Scottish clubs will feature in the Champions League group stage for the second consecutive season.

‘We Got What We Deserved’

Celtic captain Callum McGregor, who scored his side’s only goal of the night, did not hold back in his assessment.

“We were passive all night. We looked scared to go and win the game. I didn’t think we were that good in the first leg either. We scored at good times and got away with it. We have to suck it up. We apologise to our supporters and the club because there’s no way we should lose that game. It’s as much on the players as everyone else. You can’t look for excuses elsewhere. You’ll now see what people are made of.”

Celtic now drop into the Europa League.

O’Neill Takes Responsibility

Manager Martin O’Neill accepted blame for the defeat.

“They’re a good side, but that’s really disappointing. I’m responsible for the team, I’m the manager of the side. I’m incredibly disappointed. We know we’re a million miles from the finished article, but, going into the game 3–0 up and after scoring, we should have been out of sight. Momentum swings in a game and we weren’t able to stem it for a while. We seemed to have weathered the storm then they scored to take it to extra time. They’re a fine side, but that doesn’t matter. We should have been able to see it through. It’s a massive disappointment. I know we’re now playing in the Europa League, but that’s a scant consolation this evening.”

Context: A Turbulent Season

Celtic’s 2025–26 campaign was marked by instability:

• Brendan Rodgers resigned as head coach in October.
• Wilfried Nancy was sacked after only eight games in charge.
• Martin O’Neill took over and revived the team, winning their final nine matches across the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup to claim both trophies.

Celtic overtook Hearts, who had led the league table since September and were chasing their first league title since 1960, to secure their 14th league title in the last 15 seasons on the final day.

The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026–27 Champions League draw.