Celtic Continue Transfer Push After Champions League Exit to LASK

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill says the club will continue trying to add players before the transfer deadline despite missing out on the Champions League. BBC Sport reported that O'Neill remains hopeful the move into the Europa League will not prevent Celtic from completing prospective signings.

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Celtic's Champions League campaign ended on Tuesday when LASK won the second leg of their play-off 5-1 after extra time. The Austrian club advanced 5-4 on aggregate, leaving the Scottish Premiership champions to enter the Europa League instead. Celtic had held a 4-1 aggregate lead at halftime before the tie turned in the second half.

Four players have joined Celtic during the current window: Kasper Hogh, Camilo Duran, Haissem Hassan and Mika Baur. However, the squad also lost Daizen Maeda to Ipswich Town and Arne Engels to West Ham United. The transfer window is due to close next week.

O'Neill said Celtic still need several additions to supplement the squad and are working to bring players in before the deadline. He acknowledged that Champions League football carries greater prestige, particularly for younger players, while describing the Europa League as a strong competition. He also pointed to the financial difference created by failing to qualify for Europe's top club tournament.

Supporters have criticized Celtic's transfer business since last summer, when the club also fell short in Champions League qualifying. Celtic lost that play-off against Kairat Almaty. This season's four arrivals were in place before the LASK tie, but the latest elimination has renewed attention on the balance and depth of O'Neill's squad.

Reflecting on Tuesday's defeat, O'Neill said Celtic should have put the contest beyond LASK by halftime. He accepted responsibility for reviewing his own decisions and said the team could have defended its penalty area better during the decisive period. With the Champions League place gone, he stressed that Celtic must recover quickly and show character as they turn their attention to domestic competition and the Europa League.