World media reacts as Celtic suffer ‘darkest episode’ in miracle of Linz as Champions League slips through their fingers

It’s all but done.

Celtic even took the lead to give themselves a four-goal cushion with 70 minutes to just keep LASK at arm’s length.

But somehow, they’ve missed out on the Champions League yet again after an all timer of a collapse in Linz.

This one perhaps can’t even be pinned on the board – although what was left in defence near the latter stages of the game was bewildering.

Under-fire CEO Michael Nicholson has loosened the purse strings to the tune of £27million this summer, including a record £11million signing who was supposed to fire them to the promised land.

But the Scottish champions ended up with the patchwork defence as their Austrian counterparts battered them into submission.

LASK could even afford to miss an extra-time spot-kick.

Veteran boss Martin O’Neill held his hands up and took responsibility after the game, and his players are going to be in the firing line too.

This one is going to sting for quite some time and the now upcoming Europa League campaign could see Celtic Park as flat as it’s ever been, although that would be some achievement given their recent troubles.

Here’s how the rest of the world saw a night of abject failure for the Hoops.

Kurier (Austria)

“After a year’s absence, Austria is back in the Champions League – and deservedly so, and it didn’t take a miracle, just a really good performance. LASK turned around a 0-3 defeat in the first leg of their play-off against Celtic Glasgow with a 5-1 victory after extra time. The Scots, as in the first leg, had presented themselves as beatable opponents, with a wide-open defense. However, this time Didi Kühbauer ‘s team did better and converted at least a good portion of their countless chances..”

Der Standard (Austria)

“LASK have achieved a historic football miracle and qualified for the Champions League group stage. Coach Dietmar Kühbauer’s team won the play-off second leg in Linz against Celtic Glasgow 5-1 (4-1, 1-1) after extra time on Tuesday evening thanks to a furious performance. This more than made up for the 3-0 defeat in the first leg and secured their first-ever participation in Europe’s premier club competition.”

ORF (Austria)

“LASK made Austrian football history on Tuesday: The champions were trailing 0-4 on aggregate against Celtic Glasgow in the UEFA Champions League play-off, but ultimately secured their place in the league stage of Europe’s premier club competition for the first time with a stunning 5-1 victory after extra time. US striker Samuel Adeniran’s goal in the 109th minute sealed the much-antiipated ‘Miracle of Linz’. This also earned LASK €18million in prize money, while Celtic will have to settle for the Europa League.”

“LASK, sporting their new fiery red European Cup kits, had to endure another setback in front of around 17,000 spectators at the sold-out Oberösterreich Arena, conceding a deflected goal by Callum McGregor (21st minute), before their memorable and historic comeback began. Celtic were completely outplayed, with Linz ultimately racking up 40 shots and a high expected goals (xG) of 4.91.”

Osterreich (Austria)

“LASK dismantled Celtic Glasgow in the Champions League second leg in Linz and are in the league phase of the million-dollar league. The miracle of Linz has become reality! With one of the greatest comebacks in European Cup history, LASK thrashed Celtic Glasgow 5-1 in an extra-time thriller at the Linzer Stadion on Tuesday and, with an aggregate score of 5-4, have advanced to the league stage of the Champions League.”

Krone (Austria)

“European Cup madness in Linz! LASK achieved the seemingly impossible against Celtic Glasgow, overturning a 0-3 first-leg deficit, forcing extra time with a 4-1 lead – and then scoring again there to seal a 5-1 victory. The Linz side will play in the Champions League for the first time in their club history!”

AS (Spain)

“Celtic experienced one of their darkest episodes in recent years in the most unexpected way. They traveled to Austria with a 3-0 lead from the first leg, and after just 21 minutes, McGregor extended their advantage, putting them practically in the Champions League group stage . However, LASK staged an extraordinary comeback, winning 5-1.

“Martin O’Neill, manager of the Scottish team, will need a long time to process what happened to his side. A complete disconnect during the most crucial moments of the season. Qualification for Europe ‘s premier club competition means a substantial financial windfall, and now Celtic are watching it slip through their fingers.”

Marca (Spain)

“LASK went much further, managing to knock out Celtic in the second leg of the qualifiers, a team that felt they had their ticket to the next round practically in the bag when they left Glasgow. And they certainly felt they had it. The Catholics had won 3-0 in the first leg and even opened the scoring on a night that will never be forgotten in Linz and that will go down in Champions League qualifying history.

“The Austrian team, trailing by four goals, leveled the tie in the 90th minute through Flecker and then finished off Celtic in extra time with a goal from Adeniran in the 109th minute (5-1). LASK, who even had time to miss a penalty in the dying moments, return to the Champions League, a competition they haven’t played in since the distant European Cup of 1965.”

L’Equipe (France)

“The Austrian champions achieved a remarkable feat on Tuesday in the Champions League play-off second leg. Having lost 3-0 in the first leg in Scotland, Linz overturned Celtic’s lead after extra time (5-1, aet) and secured, for the first time in their history, a place in the main stage of the competition. The deliverance came late, but what a beautiful one it was. With his right foot, from about 15 metres out, Samuel Adeniran turned around an evening that seemed doomed (109th minute). Trailing by three goals at kickoff and forcing extra time in the dying seconds, the Austrian champions secured their first-ever Champions League qualification against Celtic (5-1, aet).”