Celtic deficiencies laid bare on another night of Champions League pain

Celtic suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat to LASK in their Champions League group stage match, marking another night of painful failure for the Scottish side. Callum McGregor, the club's veteran captain, expressed his frustration at his team's collapse, calling them "scared" and berating them for their lack of professionalism and desire.

This latest European exit is yet another in a long line of disappointments for McGregor, who has been a mainstay at Celtic for nearly a decade and accumulated numerous trophies during his tenure. The 4-0 deficit was a devastating blow for Celtic, as they had started the match strongly, with McGregor scoring a deflected goal and leading his side to a 4-0 aggregate lead.

However, LASK's physicality, determination, and belief proved too much for the home team, who ultimately capitulated, conceding four goals in quick succession. Martin O'Neill, Celtic's manager, took full responsibility for the defeat, acknowledging that it was one of his worst performances in football. The team's directionless play, lack of shots on target, and inability to mount a comeback highlighted the psychological deficiencies that have plagued Celtic in recent European campaigns.

The loss leaves Celtic vulnerable, as they struggle to find a consistent identity and a physical presence in midfield to complement their creative stars.