Celtic manager Martin O'Neill remains hopeful that the club can complete further signings despite losing their Champions League play-off to LASK and dropping into the Europa League. The defeat matters because Champions League football brings greater prestige and income, both of which can help attract players, particularly younger recruits.

LASK won 5-1 after extra time to progress 5-4 on aggregate, overturning Celtic’s position after the Scottish champions had led 4-1 overall at half-time. Celtic have signed four players this transfer window, but Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels have departed; O'Neill said the squad needs strengthening before next week’s deadline and accepted responsibility for analysing the defensive shortcomings in the loss.