Celtic crashed out of the Champions League play-offs after LASK overturned a 3-0 first-leg deficit to win 5-4 after extra-time.

Celtic suffered a major defeat in the Champions League play-offs, losing 5-4 on aggregate to Austrian side LASK. Despite holding a 3-0 lead from the first leg and extending their advantage to 4-0 early in the second leg, Celtic conceded four goals to force extra-time. LASK secured the victory in the 109th minute, relegating the Scottish champions to the Europa League for the second consecutive season.

The Collapse in Austria

Callum McGregor extended Celtic's aggregate lead to 4-0 in the 21st minute, but the team struggled to maintain control. LASK responded with goals from Moses Usor, Robert Ljubicic, and Samuel Adeniran. With minutes remaining, substitute Florian Flecker headed in a 90th-minute equalizer to level the aggregate score at 4-4 and force extra-time. In the 109th minute, Adeniran scored his second goal of the match to put LASK ahead for the first time. Although Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo saved a penalty from Adeniran shortly after, the team could not recover, confirming their exit from the competition.

Reaction to the Defeat

Following the match, the team expressed disappointment, with players and staff acknowledging the failure to protect a significant lead. The result marks the second straight year Celtic has failed to reach the Champions League, following a penalty shootout loss to Kairat Almaty last season. The club will now participate in the Europa League league-phase draw.