Celtic exit to LASK piles pressure on squad and board
Schmeichel urged Sinisalo to ‘block out’ transfer noise and be Celtic’s calming influence, despite the club still searching for a new goalkeeper.
John McGinn said Celtic assumed his support would seal a 2018 move, but Hibs held firm on the fee and the deal ‘never ever got there’.
After Celtic’s Champions League exit, the focus falls on Luke McCowan’s cameo.
World media branded Celtic’s loss to LASK a ‘sensation’, ‘shocking collapse’ and ‘embarrassment’ after they blew a 4-0 aggregate lead in Austria.
Celtic’s exit to LASK is already hurting recruitment, with Torino’s £9m-rated Gvidas Gineitis now less likely to join and Salzburg favoured.
Celtic’s 5-4 aggregate collapse to LASK left O’Neill owning responsibility, while questions over mentality, recruitment and lost Champions League pull grow.
A Celtic fans’ group blamed Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay for the LASK exit, saying the board again left the squad unprepared for qualifiers.
Mika Baur said Celtic’s dressing room was ‘really quiet and really sad’ after the 5-4 aggregate collapse to LASK, but urged the squad to move on.
McGregor said ‘I’ll be here’ after Celtic’s 5-4 aggregate exit to LASK, admitting the players underperformed, must take responsibility and now show personality.
Alan Brazil called Celtic’s LASK exit their ‘worst’ result for its importance, condemning poor game management after they squandered a 4-0 lead.
Celtic are reportedly close to signing Niko Sigur, with a timeline outlined, while an £8.5m playmaker move is said to be nearing collapse.
Celtic blew a 4-0 aggregate lead to lose 5-1 in Linz, going out 5-4 after extra time and missing the Champions League proper again.
Celtic aim to make it 3 straight Premiership wins at Celtic Park against a Falkirk side still seeking their first victory of the season.
John Collins said Celtic fans crave Champions League ‘prestige’ and big nights, as anger grows after the 5-1 collapse to LASK cost around £40m.
Celtic’s away games at Dundee United on 30 Dec and Rangers on 3 Jan have been picked for live TV, with kick-off details confirmed for the festive run.
Celtic could draw 10 possible Europa League opponents they have never faced before, offering fresh ties and new away destinations for supporters.
Celtic had fewer summer signings than any SPFL club before the LASK collapse, underlining claims O’Neill’s squad was unfinished for Europe.
Hearts mocked Celtic after the LASK humiliation, piling in following their own win in Vienna and taunting last season’s title rivals.
