The Linz Capitulation

In a stunning self-inflicted collapse, Celtic fell 5-1 to LASK in Austria during the second leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off yesterday, obliterating their 3-0 first-leg advantage to lose 5-4 on aggregate. 

In fact, Celtic appeared to put the tie to bed early when Yang Hyun-jun set up Callum McGregor, who slotted home to give the Hoops a massive four-goal aggregate lead in the 21st minute. 

But LASK began their improbable comeback, hammering home a five-goal blitz – in the 32nd, 48th, 58th, 90th and 109th minutes to complete the massacre and eliminate Celtic from the Champions League. 

Fingers are being pointed at manager Martin O'Neill (right) for his heavy second-half rotation, which completely broke the team's defensive cohesion and triggered the implosion. 

Reo Hatate and Sebastian Tounekti were brought on in the 62nd minute, followed by Liam Scales and Luke McCowan in the 70th, and Dane Murray in the 77th minute. 

Instead of closing out the match, these conservative adjustments invited persistent pressure from LASK, rendering the Celtic backline entirely passive. 

It was one of the most spectacular European capitulations in Celtic's history! 🔥🔥🔥🔥