Scottish football's European midweek proved largely miserable, and attention now turns to how the country's leading clubs respond domestically this weekend.
Celtic's campaign had been progressing smoothly before Tuesday's collapse in Austria. The Scottish champions had won three domestic matches without conceding a goal and appeared well placed for Champions League qualification after a 3-0 first-leg win over LASK. They even extended that advantage with an early goal in the second leg, only for LASK to respond with four goals of their own, forcing extra time. A fifth Austrian goal on the night eventually ended Celtic's hopes, dropping them into the Europa League instead.
Captain Callum McGregor did not shy away from criticising his side's display, admitting the team looked "passive" and "scared" against LASK. The manner of the collapse has raised questions about Celtic's mentality heading into a busy autumn schedule that will include fixtures against Benfica, Besiktas, Celta Vigo, Ferencvaros, Marseille, Omonia, Torreense and Union SG in the Europa League league phase.
Before any of that, though, Celtic must refocus on domestic business, starting with a home clash against Falkirk on Saturday. History favours the champions, who won all five meetings with Falkirk last season, and their pre-Austria league form had been strong. However, having played a gruelling 120 minutes in midweek, Celtic will be tested by a Falkirk side that has had a fortnight to rest, even though John McGlynn's team are still searching for their first league win of the campaign.
Elsewhere in the Premiership, other clubs are building momentum. Dundee, who suffered a narrow defeat to Celtic earlier in the season, have shown notable improvement under Steven Pressley, following up with 2-0 wins over Aberdeen and city rivals Dundee United, despite a cup exit against Aberdeen in between those results.
St Mirren remain the only club besides Celtic with a perfect league record, having beaten both Falkirk away and St Johnstone at home in their opening two fixtures. Their momentum was interrupted by a heavy League Cup defeat to Rangers, which ended their defence of that trophy, but their domestic form otherwise remains encouraging.
Both Dundee and St Mirren enter the weekend well rested, having avoided midweek fixtures, with St Mirren also having had the previous weekend off. That freshness could prove significant, as they host two sides recovering from European disappointment of their own.
Dundee welcome Hibernian, who suffered a painful play-off exit against Gent, conceding two late goals to lose 3-2 on aggregate after appearing to be in a strong position. St Mirren, meanwhile, host Motherwell, who were beaten comprehensively by Freiburg, going down 7-2 on aggregate in the Conference League after already facing a difficult task against the German side.
With both Hibernian and Motherwell nursing European wounds, Sunday's fixtures present clear opportunities for Dundee and St Mirren to capitalise on their rivals' fatigue and continue their own strong starts to the season.
As the Premiership campaign develops, all eyes will be on how Celtic, in particular, respond to their continental setback, and whether the psychological blow of Tuesday's collapse in Austria carries over into their domestic form against Falkirk.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.