Luke McCowan has deleted or deactivated his Instagram account following last night’s dismal display against LASK.
The midfielder’s social media profile now returns a “user not found” message after Celtic’s catastrophic collapse in Austria.
A Night of Collective Failure
Let’s be clear, the entire squad were a shambles and nobody comes away from that performance with much credit.
Celtic threw away a four-goal aggregate lead, falling 5-1 after extra time to exit the Champions League on a 5-4 aggregate scoreline.
When you play for Celtic, you take your medicine, accept the criticism and get on with it.
Deleting or deactivating Instagram does not change what happened on the pitch.
One of the Worst Individual Displays
For me, McCowan put in one of, if not the worst individual performances I’ve seen in a Celtic shirt last night.
That might sound harsh, but the numbers back it up.
He entered the fray after 71 minutes and proceeded to lose possession 19 times.
One of those turnovers, on the edge of his own box in extra time, directly led to the decisive fifth goal for the Austrian side.
Standards at Paradise
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I simply don’t believe he is good enough to play at the level Celtic should be aspiring to.
“Celtic jerseys do not shrink to fit inferior players.”
Sadly, it feels like they have once again.
The green and white demands a higher standard than what was shown in Linz.
Deeper Problems Exposed
This isn’t all on Luke McCowan – far from it.
The problems run much deeper than one player.
Celtic looked scared and passive as LASK mounted an extraordinary comeback.
Captain Callum McGregor later admitted the side had been far too timid once the pressure mounted.
Martin O’Neill’s men had controlled the first leg with a professional 3-0 win at Celtic Park.
They even led on the night in Austria through McGregor’s early strike before the collapse unfolded.
Recent Form Offers Contrast
In the Scottish Premiership, Celtic sit top of the table with six points from two matches.
A 1-0 win over Dundee and a 5-1 thrashing of Kilmarnock had suggested a solid start to the title defence.
A 4-0 League Cup victory away at Dundee United added further momentum.
Yet European nights continue to expose the same familiar frailties.
Fan Reaction and Social Media Storm
Supporters have not held back in their assessment of the performance.
Many directed particular fury at McCowan’s contribution from the bench.
Others rightly pointed out that the entire team failed to show the required fight and organisation.
Some voices online crossed the line into personal abuse, prompting calls for fans to show restraint.
The decision to step away from Instagram reflects the intensity of that backlash.
In the modern game, players face relentless scrutiny the moment the final whistle blows.
Tactical Shortcomings Clear
Celtic’s structure disintegrated once LASK found an equaliser.
The midfield lost its shape and the defence invited wave after wave of pressure.
Substitutions failed to stem the tide.
Instead of adding energy and composure, the changes appeared to accelerate the unravelling.
This was not a one-off moment of bad luck.
It was a collective loss of belief and tactical discipline on the biggest stage.
Urgent Need for Squad Strengthening
Celtic Football Club must now act as a matter of urgency to significantly improve this squad.
We’re heading into the Europa League and, if we genuinely want to compete and give ourselves the best possible chance of achieving something in Europe this season, this squad needs serious strengthening.
The summer window has already seen notable movement.
Key departures and new arrivals have reshaped the group, yet last night proved the current options remain insufficient for consistent European progress.
Quality in central midfield and defensive solidity look like priority areas.
The board cannot afford to treat the remaining days of the window as business as usual.
Europa League Reality Check
Dropping into the Europa League is a significant financial and sporting setback.
Celtic have now suffered the same fate at this stage in consecutive seasons.
Last night should be the wake-up call.
Domestic dominance means little if the side continues to fold when tested against organised continental opposition.
The Premiership table shows Celtic in a strong position early on.
But the real measure of progress will come in the Europa League group phase and beyond.
Looking Ahead
Martin O’Neill has taken responsibility for the result, as any manager should.
Yet the players who pulled on the jersey also have questions to answer.
McCowan’s decision to deactivate his Instagram changes nothing about the performance itself.
What matters now is how the entire squad responds on the training ground and in the next fixtures.
Celtic supporters expect fight, quality and accountability.
Last night delivered none of those qualities in sufficient measure.
The club stands at a crossroads.
Serious recruitment and a rapid improvement in mentality are required if this season is to deliver more than another domestic title.
The green and white jersey still carries heavy expectations.
Those who wear it must prove they belong.