RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 3 sources
O'Neill: 'I'm responsible for this one'
Celtic boss Martin O'Neill has admitted blame following his side's capitulation away to LASK Linz that sees the Scottish side drop down from the Champions League to the Europa League.
After a 3-0 win at Celtic Park and taking a 21st minute lead in Linz, the Bhoys looked on course to return to Europe's premier competition. However, five unanswered goals from LASK meant that it was instead the Austrian side who booked their place in the Champions League.
"I'm responsible for this one," O'Neill said after the game in which they conceded 40 shots over 120+ minutes.
"Without a doubt. Naturally it took me a long time to get over the UEFA Cup final in 2003 but this was majorly disappointing.
"In the context of things, one was a final which it would have been terrific to win, this was a qualifying game which we should have been able to get through.
"We know that we are a million miles from the finished article. That's absolutely true. I think we thought that anyway."
Missing out on the Champions League is also a big blow for the Scottish champions.
"The qualification for the Champions League is major, it's major in every aspect," O'Neill continued.
"Financially, for prestige, but we have to pick ourselves up. That's my responsibility again to do that.
"I think I said last week that if you could qualify for the Champions League there would be players wanting to come on that basis.
"That's not going to be the case but we'll see. Tonight we came up well and truly short, particularly in the second half."
Celtic can try and put Tuesday night behind them on Saturday when they host Falkirk in a return to league duty.
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.