I look at Celtic directors box and question of ambition occurs as main man is posted missing again - Hugh Keevins

Celtic's European Nightmare Continues with LASK Collapse

Celtic suffered a devastating Champions League playoff exit on Tuesday, squandering a four-goal aggregate lead to lose 5-4 to LASK after extra time. The Scottish champions led 4-0 on aggregate after half an hour of the second leg in Austria, but LASK scored five unanswered goals — the decisive fifth coming in extra time of a 5-1 win — to advance to the group stage for the first time in their history.

The defeat marks the second consecutive year Celtic has failed to qualify for the Champions League by losing in late August to a team with no prior experience at that level. Twelve months ago, Celtic went out to Kairat Almaty in a penalty shootout after two scoreless draws in Kazakhstan.

Captain Callum McGregor, who scored Celtic's goal in the 21st minute on the night, was blunt in his assessment. "We were far too passive. We don't have any excuses," he said, according to quotes reported by multiple outlets. McGregor admitted the first-leg performance was not good and that the team "got away with it," adding: "We got what we deserved. We were passive all night. We looked scared to go and win the game." He apologized to supporters, saying the players share responsibility.

Interim manager Martin O'Neill took personal responsibility for the defeat. "I'm responsible for this one," he said. "Without a doubt." O'Neill, who referenced the 2003 Uefa Cup final as a previous disappointment, conceded the scale of the task ahead. "We know that we are a million miles from the finished article," he said. "That's absolutely true."

The loss has significant financial implications. Celtic will miss out on the hefty Champions League windfall and will instead enter the Europa League draw on Friday, while the Champions League draw takes place Thursday in Monaco. O'Neill highlighted the importance of qualification: "The qualification for the Champions League is major, it's major in every aspect. Financially, for prestige, but we have to pick ourselves up. That's my responsibility again to do that. I think I said..."

The collapse took place in the open air of the Raiffeisen Arena, with bedlam all around, leaving "nowhere to hide" for Celtic or O'Neill, according to BBC. The Scottish champions had endured one of their darkest European nights, especially after going out to Kairat Almaty on penalties last year at this same stage.

A Pattern of Board Failures

The defeat has reignited criticism of Celtic's board, particularly principal shareholder Dermot Desmond, who was absent from the directors box on the night. Writing in the Daily Record, Hugh Keevins questioned the club's ambition, noting that Desmond's absence was conspicuous given the magnitude of the occasion. Keevins pointed to the contrast with the previous year's exit, when Celtic missed three penalties against Kairat Almaty after the board declined to strengthen the squad despite having deep cash reserves.

Those decisions by the board cost Celtic potentially tens of millions in UEFA prize money and fueled tensions at the club. Coach Brendan Rodgers left within weeks of last year's defeat, and long-serving chairman Peter Lawwell departed in December, citing threats to his family by fans. The atmosphere eventually healed following Wilfried Nancy's short reign as coach and the return of club icon O'Neill as interim coach.

O'Neill helped steady Celtic last term, guiding them to a league title and Scottish Cup, aided by a hugely controversial refereeing decision in the second-last game. But this season's early promise has evaporated, and the club now faces a transfer window without the financial boost of Champions League participation.

Keevins also noted the multi-million pound arrivals of players like Kasper Hogh, Camilo Duran, Mika Baur, and Hasseim Hassan, which had suggested lessons had been learned. Yet the defense, particularly Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty, was exposed as vulnerable in Austria. O'Neill had warned after the first leg that a three-goal advantage was insufficient, saying Celtic had "rode their luck" and the tie was "in the balance." Keevins had issued a similar warning, predicting Celtic could struggle in the second leg.

The defeat leaves Celtic facing an uncertain future, with questions about the board's ambition and the team's mental resilience now firmly in the spotlight.