Celtic Park modified into in chunky reveal on August 19, 2026, and the Scottish champions gave their followers hundreds to teach about. A commanding first-leg performance in opposition to Austrian aspect LASK Linz has put Celtic firmly on top of things of their UEFA Champions League play-off tie, with the hosts racing into a two-unbiased lead at dwelling.
The leaves LASK wanting a turnaround within the 2d leg on August 25 in Austria.
Durán announces himself unique
The evening’s standout 2d belonged to Camilo Durán, Celtic’s summer season signing from Qarabağ, who arrived on July 10 for a reported price of £5.5 million. The Colombian forward had already proven his credentials in European opponents, netting five Champions League targets with Qarabağ throughout the 2025/26 season.
Benjamin Nygren opened the scoring within the 26th minute. Durán then doubled the advantage within the thirty eighth minute with a sensational volley from the perimeter of the box. Sky Sports activities known because it a “stunner.”
Martin O’Neill’s summer season replace paying dividends
Celtic’s starting up lineup featured several unique faces, at the side of Durán, Danish forward Kasper Høgh, and Mika Baur, all slotting in alongside established pillars like captain Callum McGregor and the returning Kieran Tierney.
Celtic entered this play-off on the support of a in point of fact best initiate as a lot as their home campaign, at the side of a 4-0 demolition of Dundee United within the League Cup on August 15.
What reaching the group stage formula for Celtic
Qualification for the Champions League group stage would picture a predominant milestone for Celtic below O’Neill. The monetary implications on my own are mountainous, with group-stage participation handing over tens of thousands and thousands in UEFA prize money and broadcasting earnings.
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