\n<\/p>\n
In the open air of the Raiffeisen Arena, with bedlam all around, there was nowhere to hide for Celtic or Martin O’Neill.<\/b><\/p>\n
The Scottish champions had endured one of the darkest nights in their European history. <\/p>\n
After going out to Kairat Almaty on penalties last year at this stage of the Champions League play-offs, that is saying something.<\/p>\n
Four goals up on aggregate against LASK, O’Neill’s Celtic somehow conspired to implode in a second half with little sign of a response on the way to a 5-4 aggregate loss following extra time.<\/p>\n
There was no hiding place, and the Celtic manager was frank when put in the spotlight at full-time.<\/p>\n
“I’m responsible for this one,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Without a doubt. Naturally it took me a long time to get over the Uefa Cup final in 2003 but this was majorly disappointing. <\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“We know that we are a million miles from the finished article. That’s absolutely true. I think we thought that anyway.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n