Celtic manager Martin O'Neill accepted full responsibility after his side squandered a 4-0 aggregate lead against LASK, losing 5-4 on Tuesday. The Scottish champions led 4-0 after the first leg at the Raiffeisen Arena but collapsed in the second half, conceding five goals without reply. O'Neill admitted the performance was "majorly disappointing" and took the blame for the historic implosion.

Captain Callum McGregor echoed the sentiment, stating the team "got what we deserved" after being "passive" and "scared" throughout the match. Former captain Scott Brown criticized the team's lack of fight, while Neil Lennon suggested the squad looked "exhausted" and "fragile." Despite the exit, O'Neill emphasized the importance of Champions League qualification for future recruitment, though the club must now navigate the transfer window without the expected financial windfall. The defeat marks a stark contrast to last year's penalty loss at Kairat Almaty and highlights the team's struggle to progress past the play-off stage.