Celtic were beaten 5-4 on aggregate by LASK in the Champions League play-off round on Tuesday night and manager Martin O’Neill knows his side will have to respond against Falkirk
Martin O’Neill reckons Celtic must demonstrate the traditional Hoops “character” when they face Falkirk this weekend, following their disastrous Champions League play-off exit to LASK on Tuesday evening.
The Scottish champions had built a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg in Glasgow, and captain Callum McGregor’s deflected effort after 21 minutes in Austria appeared to put the tie beyond doubt.
Yet an extraordinary capitulation saw the Austrian side storm back to triumph 5-4 on aggregate following extra-time, condemning Celtic to the less financially rewarding and less prestigious league phase of the Europa League.
O’Neill, whose initial stint as permanent Celtic boss ran from 2000 to 2005, secured the William Hill Premiership crown and Scottish Gas Scottish Cup last term, but he’s well aware that supporters, still smarting from missing out on Champions League football, will demand a strong showing against the Bairns on Saturday.
“I’ve known this from my time at this football club, you’re always one game away from a crisis, and that’s the case,” said the 74-year-old Celtic manager, who disclosed that McGregor sat out training due to a stomach complaint, though there’s optimism he’ll be available.
“It’s a major disappointment to get knocked out of the competition, particularly carrying a lead and certainly with 60 minutes to go and we are looking in real control of the game.
“They’ve had a couple of skirmishes but we have had the better chances in the game. And to let it slip in the manner in which we did is, that is my responsibility.
“And so we have to go and and really show, I know it’s an overused word, the character. We have to show a lot of character.
“And there’ll be moments in the game tomorrow, misplaced passes, allowing Falkirk in, shots at goal and maybe even going a goal behind in the game, where the crowd are going to get really restless. Absolutely, so we have to fight that.
“But that’s been the case even in my days with (Henrik) Larsson and (Neil) Lennon, (Paul) Lambert, it was the case then, so that doesn’t change. And you know what? I wouldn’t expect it to. We can’t live in laurels for the rest of our time.
“Last season was just fantastic one of the great moments but it’s gone, and I’ve had some really great moments in my time, and I’ve had some real lows, like everything else.
“One of the great highs was us winning the league (last season) and one of the major lows was losing this game the other night. It doesn’t get any easier at 74 years of age. In fact, it gets worse.”
Meanwhile, in the Europa League draw, Celtic face away trips to Benfica, Union SG, Omonia and Torreense, while hosting Marseille, Ferencvaros, Celta Vigo and Besiktas at home.
O’Neill said: “Yes, gosh, it is really tough. I probably still haven’t got over the game on Tuesday night, but it’s something to look forward to. Some really big games there.
“I’ve got the list here in my pocket and Marseille and Benfica, I never read any further after that.
“But, listen, it’s not the day for fun and games, Tuesday was really disappointing, we just have to try and get over it if we can.”
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