Celtic suffered a catastrophic 5-1 defeat to Austrian side LASK in Linz on August 25, 2026, blowing a four-goal aggregate lead and missing out on the Champions League for the second year running, according to reports. The result dumps Martin O’Neill’s side into the Europa League and delivers a £20 million-plus financial blow.
How Celtic Squandered a Four-Goal Aggregate Lead in Linz
The Scottish champions travelled to the Raiffeisen Arena holding a 3-0 first-leg advantage from Glasgow. That lead stretched to four goals in the 21st minute when captain Callum McGregor drilled a deflected shot past the LASK defence following a one-two between Yang Hyun-jun and Kieran Tierney.
However, the tie unraveled before half-time. In the 32nd minute, Benjamin Nygren played a loose pass that was intercepted by Moses Usor, who leveled the score on the night. The collapse accelerated early in the second half. Robert Ljubicic drove home from 20 yards out in the 48th minute after Usor outmuscled Auston Trusty, and Samuel Adeniran curled a 25-yard strike into the top corner in the 58th minute to make it 3-1 on the night.
Extra-Time Heartbreak and Flecker’s Stoppage-Time Header
With Celtic pinned back and defending with four centre-backs—introducing Liam Scales and Dane Murray alongside Trusty and Cameron Carter-Vickers—LASK poured forward. Goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo made several crucial saves, but Florian Flecker nodded home a rebound in the 91st minute to level the aggregate score at 4-4 and force an additional 30 minutes.
In extra time, Adeniran delivered the decisive blow in the 109th minute, dispossessing substitute Luke McCowan before firing home from 25 yards. Adeniran had the chance to seal a hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 115th minute, but Sinisalo saved his effort. LASK advanced 5-4 on aggregate, leaving Celtic to rue a disastrous second-half collapse.
Captain Callum McGregor Issues Blunt Post-Match Verdict
Speaking to Amazon Prime after the whistle, Celtic captain Callum McGregor offered no excuses for the historic capitulation. “We got what we deserved,” McGregor said. “We were passive all night. We looked scared to go and win the game.”
McGregor added that the performance level was unconvincing even during the first leg in Glasgow. “We scored at good times and got away with it,” McGregor told Amazon Prime. “We have to suck it up. We apologise to our supporters and the club because there’s no way we should lose that game.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final aggregate score between Celtic and LASK?
LASK won 5-4 on aggregate after overturning a four-goal deficit to win the second leg 5-1 in Linz.
Which tournament will Celtic play in next following this defeat?
Celtic drops down into the Europa League.
Who scored Celtic’s only goal of the match?
Callum McGregor scored Celtic’s lone goal in the 21st minute of the second leg.
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