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Celtic again missed the Champions League qualifiers: from

27 August 2026·5 min read·Martín Varela
Celtic again missed the Champions League qualifiers: from

Celtic have failed to qualify for the Champions League six times in eight years. From a 3-0 lead in Glasgow, collapsed in Linz against LASK — and the blow to the squad, finances, and reputation will be even greater.

Celtic muling sablay sa Champions League qualifiers: mula

Ayon sa Bbc.

Bakit mahalaga ito

Ang pagkatalo ng Celtic laban sa LASK ay nagbigay-diin sa mga isyu sa depth ng kanilang squad at ang epekto nito sa kanilang season outlook. Sa kabila ng magandang simula ng season, ang pagkabigo na ito sa Champions League qualifiers ay nagdulot ng mga tanong tungkol sa kakayahan ng koponan na makipagsabayan sa mataas na antas ng kompetisyon. Ang pagbagsak ng UEFA coefficient ng Scotland ay maaaring magdulot ng mas malalim na implikasyon sa hinaharap ng mga Scottish clubs sa European competitions.

Key Points

  • Celtic fail again in Champions League qualifiers: from.
  • Celtic dropped the first leg 3-0 but gave up in Austria vs LASK, failed again in the Champions League qualifiers.
  • Celtic: Another season, another failure - where did it all go wrong?.
Six attempts in eight years, six failures. Celtic missed out on the Champions League qualifiers again — and perhaps the most painful of all. After winning 3-0 in Glasgow in the first leg and even getting the first goal in Linz, the Scottish champions still hold a three-goal advantage after three quarters of the two-legged match. That's where the downfall began. LASK caught up to them in the 90' ​​to level the aggregate at 4-4, before the Linz men finally completed the win with a fifth goal that seemed to have been written in the air for a long time due to a relentless bombardment in the second half. From a four-win start to the season and 13 goals conceded, the good start of Martin O'Neill's group suddenly turned into questions and fears. Captain Callum McGregor admitted that the team seemed "scared" and became "passive" in the series of LASK attacks. Individual errors were also critical — Benjamin Nygren, Auston Trusty and Luke McCowan gave away turnovers and situations that led directly to opposition goals, while the midfield could not keep up with the intensity of the match. O'Neill took full responsibility on himself, but former captain Scott Brown believes that was to protect the players. He highlighted the lack of depth, something that clearly exploded at the end: the game ended with a defense that included third-choice right-back Anthony Ralston, Trusty who missed training through illness, untried academy product Dane Murray, and Liam Scales out of position at left-back. In the market, big money was spent on new attackers Kasper Høgh and Camilo Durán, along with the signings of Mika Baur (midfield) and Haissem Hassan (wing). But instead, the important pieces Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels were sold to Ipswich Town and West Ham United. Former striker Chris Sutton questioned the timing of the sale ahead of the crucial qualifiers, and Brown insists Engels' loss will be felt — especially with the physicality and range in the middle as McGregor's supposed partner.
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Financially correct hurts too. According to football finance expert Kieran Maguire, over £20m in potential lost revenue could be lost by not making it to this year's Champions League. For every £100 prize money in the Champions League, there is an estimated £22 equivalent in the Europa League and around £11 in the Conference League. In 2024-25, Celtic will earn around £45m by reaching the Champions League knockout play-offs, while Europa League champions Aston Villa will be around £30-35m — plus the bonus of an automatic ticket to the next Champions League. In addition, the price of ticket packages and especially corporate hospitality in the Champions League is higher than the Europa League, as well as the possible sponsor bonuses that will now be in jeopardy. According to Maguire, the club's stock fell 4-5% following the defeat — a sign of financial panic. Supporters' frustrations have exploded on social media: from frustration at the lack of depth and quality of replacements, to calls for a review of the board's direction and transfer plan. Many also accept that, at the level of play on display, it would be better to return to form in Europe's lower tiers than take a tougher lesson in the Champions League. In a wider context, this fall reflects Scotland's plunge in the UEFA coefficient. From 9th place in 2021–2023, the country is now 18th, and in this season's live table has even slipped to 19th. This means that the Premiership champion will start in the second qualifying round of the Champions League, while the runner-up will start in the Conference League. However, this is not the end: 2024-25 proved that Scottish clubs can pick up even more points in deep Europa League runs. If Rangers, Hibernian and Motherwell can bounce back this week, the climb could begin. Target: get back to the top 15 to get back on a better path to the Champions League. For Celtic, the challenge is clear: fix the midfield and defence, strengthen the depth, and reassess the targets in the market. The next step is in the Europa League; how they respond to this crisis will determine whether the August cycle of disillusionment continues, or whether real recovery begins.

What's next

After the defeat, Celtic will have to rethink their strategy in the transfer market and their squad depth in order to recover next season. The next matches in the domestic league will be important to restore the team's confidence and focus on their goal of getting Champions League football in the future. Players like Callum McGregor must take heart and learn from this experience to avoid similar mistakes in future matches.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the score of the match between Celtic and LASK?

The aggregate score ended 4-4, but LASK won by goals in the second leg.

How does this match affect Celtic's standings in the Champions League qualifiers?

Celtic's loss to LASK resulted in their failure to progress to the Champions League qualifiers.

What is Celtic's next match after the LASK defeat?

There is no specific information on Celtic's next match in the article.

Who are the main players mentioned in this match?

Among the aforementioned players are Callum McGregor, Benjamin Nygren, Auston Trusty, and Luke McCowan.

What was Callum McGregor's reaction to Celtic's defeat?

Callum McGregor admits the team seemed 'scared' and 'passive' to LASK attacks.

Kaugnay na Balita

Kaugnay na Balita

Mga Madalas na Itanong

Ano ang naging score ng laban sa pagitan ng Celtic at LASK?
Ang aggregate score ay nagtapos sa 4-4, ngunit nanalo ang LASK sa pamamagitan ng mga goals sa ikalawang leg.
Paano naapektuhan ng laban na ito ang standings ng Celtic sa Champions League qualifiers?
Ang pagkatalo ng Celtic sa LASK ay nagresulta sa kanilang pagkabigo na umusad sa Champions League qualifiers.
Ano ang susunod na laban ng Celtic pagkatapos ng pagkatalo sa LASK?
Walang tiyak na impormasyon sa susunod na laban ng Celtic sa article.
Sino ang mga pangunahing manlalaro na nabanggit sa laban na ito?
Kabilang sa mga nabanggit na manlalaro ay sina Callum McGregor, Benjamin Nygren, Auston Trusty, at Luke McCowan.
Ano ang naging reaksyon ni Callum McGregor sa pagkatalo ng Celtic?
Inamin ni Callum McGregor na tila 'natakot' at naging 'pasibo' ang koponan sa mga atake ng LASK.
What is the next fixture to watch?
Fans should follow the involved clubs' upcoming schedules as coaches react to this result in their preparation.
TeamsChampions LeagueCelticLASKCallum McGregorBenjamin NygrenAuston TrustyLuke McCowanKasper HoghCamilo DuranMika BaurHaissem Hassan

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