Martin O'Neill has publicly urged Celtic to demonstrate their genuine "character" in the upcoming clash with Falkirk after the club endured a disastrous exit from the Champions League play‑offs at the hands of LASK. The Scottish champions entered the tie with a comfortable 3‑0 advantage from the first leg played in Glasgow, a lead that was further bolstered when captain Callum McGregor added a deflected goal just 21 minutes into the second leg in Austria. However, what should have been a routine progression turned into a dramatic reversal as LASK rallied, ultimately winning 5‑4 on aggregate after extra‑time and consigning Celtic to the less prestigious and financially modest Europa League.
O'Neill, who previously managed Celtic on a permanent basis from 2000 to 2005 and guided the club to a league title and a Scottish Cup triumph last season, is acutely aware that the disappointment still lingers among the Hoops faithful. He knows that supporters, still smarting from the loss of a coveted Champions League berth, will be expecting a strong response when Celtic face the Bairns on Saturday. "From my experience at this club, you are always just one match away from a crisis, and that is exactly where we find ourselves now," the 74‑year‑old manager said, adding that McGregor is hopeful of returning to full fitness despite having missed a training session due to a stomach bug.
The manager reflected on the magnitude of the defeat: "It is a huge disappointment to be eliminated after we were in control for most of the game, especially after holding a clear lead. We had the better chances and yet we allowed them to slip away. That is on me as the manager." He then emphasized the need for resilience: "We have to go out and, as over‑used as the word may be, we must show character. We have to display a lot of character." Anticipating a tense atmosphere at the match, O'Neill warned that the crowd could become restless if the team makes careless passes, concedes chances, or falls behind early.
"There will be moments tomorrow – misplaced passes, giving Falkirk space, shots on goal, maybe even going a goal down – and the fans will be vocal. We must fight that and keep composure," he said.
Drawing on his long tenure at Celtic, O'Neill reminded everyone that pressure is not new: "Even in the days of Henrik Larsson, Neil Lennon, and Paul Lambert, we faced similar challenges. It doesn’t change now, and I wouldn’t expect it to. We cannot rest on past laurels forever." He reflected on his personal journey, noting that last season was a highlight but also acknowledging the inevitable lows that accompany any career: "Last season was fantastic – one of the great moments – but that chapter is closed. I have experienced both great highs, like winning the league, and major lows, like the loss we suffered the other night.
At 74, it doesn’t get easier; it gets tougher." Looking ahead, O'Neill outlined Celtic’s Europa League group stage draw, which pits them away against Portuguese giants Benfica, Belgium’s Union SG, Cyprus side Omonia and Portugal’s Torreense, while home fixtures include matches against Marseille, Ferencvaros, Celta Vigo and Besiktas. He admitted the draw is challenging: "It is really tough. I’m still processing the Tuesday night loss, but there are some massive games ahead. I have the list in my pocket – Marseille and Benfica – and I haven’t even looked beyond that." He concluded on a sober note, stressing that there is no room for complacency: "Tuesday was a real disappointment.
We have to move past it, if we can, and focus on the tasks ahead." In summary, O'Neill’s message to the Celtic squad and its supporters is clear: after a heartbreaking Champions League exit, the club must regroup, exhibit resilience, and prove that its character remains intact. The upcoming match against Falkirk offers an immediate opportunity to begin that redemption, while the looming Europa League fixtures promise a demanding but potentially rewarding campaign for the Scottish giants.