Celtic establish strong advantage
Celtic took a significant step towards the Champions League group stage by securing a 3-0 victory over LASK in the first leg of their play-off tie at Celtic Park. The Scottish champions were propelled by two goals from Camilo Duran and an opening strike from Benjamin Nygren, giving them a commanding lead to take into the second leg.
The match began with a scare for Celtic as LASK had the ball in the net within 30 seconds, but Moses Usor’s effort was disallowed for offside. Moments later, Samuel Adeniran also had a clear opportunity but dragged his shot wide. Despite these early threats, Celtic found their rhythm.
Benjamin Nygren broke the deadlock for Celtic, curling a shot into the top corner after receiving a pass. LASK continued to press, and Adeniran again found the net, only for his header to be ruled out for offside. Celtic then extended their lead when Camilo Duran unleashed a powerful volley from the edge of the box, smashing it past Lukas Jungwirth.
The home side maintained their attacking momentum after the break. Callum McGregor saw a deflected shot hit the post. Duran then secured his second goal of the night, combining with Nygren before slotting a finish high into the net. This third goal provided Celtic with considerable breathing room ahead of the return fixture.
Key moments and player performances
The match saw several crucial moments that shaped the outcome. LASK’s Moses Usor had an early goal disallowed, followed by Samuel Adeniran’s missed opportunity. Celtic’s first goal came in the 27th minute from Nygren, who received Kieran Tierney’s pass before his first-time effort found the top right corner. LASK again thought they had equalised in the 35th minute through Adeniran’s header, but it was once more ruled offside.
Duran’s first goal for Celtic arrived in the 38th minute after LASK cleared Tierney’s cross, only for the ball to fall to the Colombian striker outside the area, who struck it into the net. The second half saw McGregor’s shot deflect off Hogh and hit the woodwork in the 56th minute. Sinisalo made a vital save from Usor in the 62nd minute, preserving Celtic’s lead. Duran completed his brace in the 67th minute, concluding a sweeping counterattack with Nygren.
Celtic captain Callum McGregor acknowledged the team’s strong performance but emphasised that the tie is only halfway complete. He praised Duran’s “unbelievable finishes” and highlighted the striker’s defensive contributions. McGregor also noted the team’s continuous efforts to improve and build confidence. The club’s aim is to reach the Champions League, and this result puts them in a favourable position.
Looking ahead to the second leg
Celtic will travel to Linz for the second leg of the play-off, scheduled for next Tuesday at 20:00 BST. LASK, despite being 3-0 down, continued to seek a goal that would reduce their deficit, but Viljami Sinisalo in the Celtic goal dealt with the threats, ensuring a clean sheet for his side. The Austrian champions will need to overcome a significant hurdle to advance to the Champions League group stage.
The first leg saw LASK attempting to play on the counter-attack, a tactic that initially looked promising with their disallowed goals and early chances. However, Celtic’s moments of brilliance, particularly from Nygren and Duran, proved decisive. The return leg in Linz will determine which of the two teams progresses further in the competition.
The Celtic squad, including summer arrivals like Duran and Kasper Hogh, demonstrated their value in the match. Duran’s two goals were particularly impressive, further endearing him to the Celtic supporters following his arrival. The team will aim to finish the job in Austria and secure their return to the Champions League.
The second leg will take place in Linz next Tuesday.
Source: bbc.co.uk