Celtic's historic 6-1 loss to LASK has placed manager Martin O'Neill's future under immediate review. The Daily Record reports that commentator Hugh Keevins believes the review must be handled humanely and that O'Neill may need to step back following what is being called the worst result in the club's 138-year history.
This Champions League qualifying capitulation in Linz saw Celtic surrender a four-goal aggregate lead. The team has now failed to win any of its last six matches in this competition. O'Neill took full responsibility for a performance that has made the club a laughing stock in some quarters. The squad finished the match with players like Anthony Ralston, Liam Scales, Luke McCowan, and Dane Murray on the pitch, a group criticized for lacking the strength in depth required at this level.
What does the defeat mean for Celtic's season?
The timing of this European disaster is particularly jarring given Celtic's strong domestic start. The team currently sits first in the Premiership with nine points from three wins, scoring eight goals and conceding only two. They hold a two-point lead over St Mirren. This domestic form, however, is now overshadowed by the scale of the European failure. The club's global brand is seen to be at risk due to flawed stewardship from principal shareholder Dermot Desmond, with the management structure criticized as slow and lazy.
How has the club's management been criticized?
Analysts point to a failure to reorganize the team to modern professional standards. O'Neill is accused of selecting a temperamentally suspect side for the crucial qualifier. The directors are described as slow of thought and lazy in movement. This defeat follows a pattern, with the club having sacked legendary managers like Jock Stein, Billy McNeill, and Tommy Burns in the past. The contrast is sharp with O'Neill's own past success, having won a melodramatic league and Scottish Cup double. The recent launch of a jersey commemorating the 60th anniversary of winning the European Cup was seen by some as putting commerce before common sense.
What is the immediate fixture schedule for Celtic?
Celtic now faces a punishing run of games that will test their mental and physical resilience. They are scheduled to play two Old Firm derbies within eight days in September. Before that, their next fixture is an away match against Dundee United on December 30th. The team's resources are described as low, and they must navigate this period without several key players. The current injury list includes Alistair Johnston, Jota, Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor, and Kasper Høgh, which fans can monitor on the club's injuries page.
Where does the team go from here?
The immediate future involves a switch to the Europa League, where Celtic will face Portuguese side Benfica. The club's acrimonious fanbase expects respect for the Celtic name, and the pressure is firmly on the board and manager to respond. The team's league standing offers a foundation, but the European embarrassment demands action. Supporters looking ahead can check the full fixtures list and the latest standings. Hugh Keevins said: "Martin O'Neill's Celtic position must be reviewed in humane fashion and may need to step back." How the club manages this review will define the rest of their campaign.
