Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has declared it “absolutely” one of his worst nights managing the Glasgow giants as the Scottish champions blew a four-goal lead in their UEFA Champions League playoff qualifier against Austria’s LASK.
Samuel Adeniran’s strike 11 minutes from the end of extra-time completed a stunning comeback for the hosts in Linz as they reached the Champions League group stage at Celtic’s expenses.
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Trailing 3-0 from the first leg, LASK found themselves 4-0 down on aggregate midway through the first half after Celtic captain Callum McGregor struck for the Scottish visitors.
But Nigerian midfielder Moses Usor gave LASK hope just before the break and Celtic started to capitulate.
Goals from Robert Ljubicic, American forward Adeniran and an injury time Florian Flecker effort from close range sent the tie into extra-time.
Adeniran put LASK ahead in the second period of extra-time and could have completed his hat-trick but saw his penalty saved by Finland goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo.
Having finished second from bottom in the Europa Conference League league stage last season, LASK will now play in the Champions League group stage for the first time.
Celtic were left stunned with O’Neill telling Amazon Prize when asked if it was one of worst European nights in charge of the club: “It is absolutely.
“But I’d put it below losing the UEFA Cup final in 2003,” the 74-year-old added.
O’Neill, who stepped in as an interim manager last year but took on the role full-time and denied Hearts a fairytale title on the final day of the season, took full responsibility for the collapse.
“We scored a goal, missed two great opportunities, and then we gave them a lifeline before half-time, then one after it and they came roaring back,” he said.
“That’s my team and that’s my responsibility.
“At half-time even though we conceded a poor goal before that I thought we were still well in command of the game.
“It’s hard to stem it when they are chasing the game, we can’t get out for 10 minutes. We seemed to have weathered the storm then they scored to take it to extra time.
“I’m disappointed that we’ve conceded goals in the manner we did. It’s my team, I’m responsible for it.
“These are tough games. I know it was a qualifier, but it felt like a Champions League game tonight.
“They’re a fine side, but that doesn’t matter. We should have been able to see it through. Talking about the squad, that’s for another day.
“The players will be massively disappointed, especially because we took a three-goal lead here.
“I think it’s a massive disappointment. I know we’re playing in the Europa League, but that’s a scant consolation this evening. There was a feel-good factor about and it’s become a real disappointment tonight.”
McGregor, who scored the goal to put Celtic four goals ahead in the two-leg tie, shared his manager’s heartbreak.
“When you play like that you can’t have any excuses whatsoever,” the captain told Amazon Prime.
“When you go 1-0 up in the game and it still doesn’t settle you, you can’t have any excuse and that’s on us.
“You fall at a big hurdle and these questions [on whether the squad are ready] are going to be asked. You can’t lose by that margin then look for excuses elsewhere.
“This is what it’s like to play at Celtic. You have to bounce back, you have to show a reaction and that’s what Celtic are all about.”
Elsewhere, Gabon forward Orphe Mbina scored the clinching goal as Azerbaijan’s Sabah came from behind against Hapoel Beer-Shiva to book a first ever participation in the Champions League group stage.
Trailing 2-1 to the Israelis from the first leg, Sabah found themselves 1-0 and 2-1 down on their home pitch in Baku.
But Tellur Mutallimov’s injury time strike sent the tie to extra-time and goals from Mbina and Rwandan international Joy-Lance Mickels gave Sabah a 5-2 win on the night and 6-4 aggregate success.
Hapoel had Senegal defender Djibril Diop and Israel midfielder Eliel Peretz sent off in extra-time.
Last year’s surprise package, Bodo/Glimt, cruised into the group stage for the second year running with a 2-0 victory over 10-man NEC Nijmegen, who had goalkeeper Gonzalo Crettaz dismissed after just three minutes.
Bodo/Glimt reached the last 16 in last season’s competition as they registered shock victories over Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan.
Strikes by Fredrik Andre Bjorkan and Sondre Auklend, as well as a Deveron Fonville own goal, gave the Norwegians a 3-0 win on the night and 6-1 aggregate success against their Dutch visitors.