Within the team, however, the expectations were entirely different. "There's no point in stepping onto the pitch if you believe you can't do it. I told my teammates before the game: 'Guys, we can do it,'" said match-winner Samuel Adeniran.
Captain Sascha Horvath added: "We knew: nobody believes in us, except for us, because maybe we're not quite right in the head."
A dignified farewell was not an option
The mastermind behind the incredible comeback was, of course, coach Dietmar Kühbauer. "A dignified farewell," as is often the custom in Austrian football, was simply not an option for the Burgenland native:
"The lads went out with the goal of overcoming this. They were sharp and truly wanted to advance. The way it happened is no coincidence to me."
"Basically, then you say: 'Pack it in!'"
Even in the first leg in Glasgow, the "Athletes" lost 0:3, despite not being the worse team, and despite a promising start in the second leg, they quickly fell behind again.
"We basically scored that goal ourselves because we were careless," Kühbauer shook his head. "Then you're 0:4 down, and basically, you say: 'Pack it in!'"
Insane physical performance
But the "Stahlstädter" players had no desire for that whatsoever. First, the quick equalizer after a Glasgow own goal, then the dream start after the break thanks to Robert Ljubicic.
"Then you felt another surge in the team, they played 'outstanding' for me. For an Austrian team, it was an incredible game in terms of physicality, will, and mentality. Celtic was no longer present," Kühbauer doffed his cap.
Indeed, one had the feeling that Austria's champions would have loved to devour Scotland's champions, lock, stock, and barrel. A dream goal from Samuel Adeniran after a good hour ushered in a final phase of black-and-white power football; the Glasgow guests were practically just chasing the ball.
A Lucky Punch that was on the cards
Even though the 4:1, necessary for extra time, was scored literally in the very last second, the goal didn't come as a surprise to Kühbauer, "because they couldn't defend anymore. They were absolutely exhausted."
Despite having made significantly fewer substitutions at that point, LASK seemed much fresher and played themselves into a frenzy.
Had Robert Ljubicic and Kasper Jörgensen not indicated physical problems, Kühbauer wouldn't have made any changes at all, "because we were in the flow. It would have been terrible to want to change anything then."
Simply better in all aspects
"Dieses Herz und diese Leidenschaft abzurufen, ist schon unglaublich."
In extra time, both teams first had to regroup, but in the end, LASK showed greater endurance and simply more quality than the British traditional club, which boasts a significantly higher budget.
"We were better in all aspects, even football-wise. That might sound arrogant, but these are facts that I'm not inventing, but which emerged from our game. They weren't up to the task today, one has to be that honest," said Kühbauer.
About his team, the 55-year-old says: "To summon this heart and passion is truly incredible."
There won't be a big party in Linz after this historic success. The next training session is already scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, followed by an away match in Altach on Saturday – and the Champions League kick-off is in just two weeks.
Kühbauer dreams of a duel with Simeone
In the draw taking place on Thursday, LASK will be drawn from Pot 4 and is guaranteed to face some of the strongest clubs in the world.
The "Athletes" unanimously don't want to reveal a preferred opponent. "I believe that we will often be underdogs, so it won't matter who we get," Kühbauer explained, in his usual dry manner.
It's an open secret, however, that a duel with his declared favourite club Atletico Madrid and coaching idol Diego Simeone would appeal to him.
"Not just participate in the Champions League"
Regardless of who the opponents ultimately turn out to be, LASK's clear goal is "not just to participate in the Champions League, but also to deliver good performances and perhaps even take something away from it," Horvath clarified.
Goalkeeper Jungwirth added: "I believe the team can achieve a great deal."
Anyone who still doubts that after what unfolded at the Linzer Gugl on Tuesday is beyond help.
