Celtic Takes Commanding Lead in Champions League Play-off with 3-0 Victory
Celtic’s Champions League play-off against LASK unfolded spectacularly in Glasgow last night as Camilo Duran scored twice, showcasing the team’s renewed ambition and quality on the field. With a decisive 3-0 lead, Celtic seems poised for a return to Europe’s prestigious competition, provided they maintain their form in the upcoming second leg.
From the outset, Celtic demonstrated an attacking prowess that hinted at their aspirations for the tournament. Their third goal, in particular, encapsulated their style and teamwork. The goal, which took just under 30 seconds, began with goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo and swiftly moved through the defense before reaching Auston Trusty. Trusty initiated the play into midfield, with Benjamin Nygren quickly setting up Duran for a clinical finish in the LASK penalty box.
However, LASK proved to be a formidable opponent, displaying their credentials as Austrian champions and cup winners. Despite Celtic’s lead, LASK created numerous opportunities throughout the match, prompting manager Martin O’Neill to commend their ability and emphasize caution moving forward.
Celtic’s recent history in European competitions has been lackluster, winning only 10 of their last 50 matches. Thus, this victory was particularly sweet for fans and players alike. Duran stole the spotlight with an impressive performance, while Nygren marked his fourth goal in as many games. Callum McGregor maintained momentum for Celtic, and young right-back Colby Donovan emerged as a promising talent under O’Neill’s watchful eye.
Reflecting on the team’s transformation, O’Neill noted, “Big, big heart” while praising Donovan’s energy. With the upcoming international squad selections, Donovan’s name may rise to the top of the list.
Looking back a year, the challenges Celtic faced were stark. Last season, the team faced an early exit from the Champions League against Kairat Almaty, failing to score in two legs and managing to miss three penalties in a decisive shootout. In contrast, last night Celtic scored more goals from long-range efforts than they managed from the spot kick in that difficult match.
Duran’s contributions signal a significant turnaround for the club; he is proving to be a valuable asset, having performed effectively since joining. O’Neill described Duran’s signing as a potential bargain, noting his work rate and vital defensive contributions alongside his attacking prowess.
This latest performance underscores Celtic’s financial investment in their squad, with nearly £30 million spent over the summer. While spending money is not new for the club, the focus now is on making shrewd acquisitions. The risk of past failures remains, but signs point to a rejuvenated squad eager to succeed.
Celtic’s ambition extends beyond domestic success; they aim to reassert themselves on the European stage. O’Neill acknowledged the need for additional players, including a competitive goalkeeper and depth in defense and midfield, to bolster Celtic’s prospects.
Last night marked a pivotal point for Celtic as they demonstrated their potential in the Champions League, earning the adoration of fans. With performances like last night’s, they certainly aim to keep that momentum going.
Camilo Duran’s second goal of a breathless night in Glasgow told you much about the direction of travel in this Champions League play-off – at 3-0, Celtic, barring the collapse to end all collapses, are heading back to the big league.
It also told you plenty about what they hope to do when they get there, the type of stuff they want to play, the ambition, the class, the ruthlessness.
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Taking your pick of Celtic’s three terrific goals is not an easy feat, but that third one is worth some examination.
From slow start to emphatic finish it lasted just short of 30 seconds, from Viljami Sinisalo in the Celtic goal, out to Colby Donovan at right-back, back to Sinisalo and out to Auston Trusty on the left side of defence.
Trusty played a positive ball into midfield and then it started to happen.
Benjamin Nygren moved it on swiftly to Duran, who sent it back Nygren, now running free into the LASK penalty box. The visitors had been carved open. Nygren played it back to Duran, who whipped it into the top corner.
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LASK are no dummies. Austrian champions. Cup winners. Martin O’Neill sang their praises in the aftermath and preached caution ahead of the second leg, as he was obliged to do. And you could see why.
LASK created a bucket of chances in Glasgow on Wednesday. If O’Neill’s team had been off it on the night, they’d be in trouble in the tie right now.
They did not beat a punchbag. They have a healthy lead, but a knockout blow needs to be landed in a week, as you have to imagine it will be.
This was a heavyweight Celtic performance in attack. There is much work to do in defence, for sure, but they can do that work from a position of strength – with the whiff of an extra £40m in their nostrils.
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Celtic won only 10 of their previous 50 games in European competition, so this one was to be savoured.
Duran lit up the night. Nygren scored his fourth goal in four games. Callum McGregor was exceptional in keeping Celtic on the front foot. And Colby Donovan – the teenager in Alistair Johnston’s terrain – was hungry and effective.
“Big, big heart” said O’Neill of his young right-back. “Boundless enthusiasm.”
When the watching Sebastien Pocognoli picks his first Scotland squad, Donovan should be in it.
Why Duran signing marks return to form
A year is an eternity in football. Twelve months ago, Brendan Rodgers was the Celtic manager and O’Neill was on an endless talking tour of every parish hall in the land, promoting his latest book and reliving the good old days.
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It was a time when Celtic crashed out of the Champions League to Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan; 180 minutes plus an extra 30 on top and no Celtic goal. Adam Idah started in the first leg. Shin Yamada made an appearance.
In a shoot-out of lamentable quality, Celtic missed three of their five penalties and exited the tournament. Rodgers said something about the state of the pitch. He might have fired a cryptic shot at the board for the lack of investment. It’s what he did. He was right, but, you know…Kairat Almaty!
On Wednesday, Celtic scored more goals from distance than they did from the penalty spot that night. They rode their luck early on, but then Nygren launched in a fourth goal this season (three assists) following on from 21 last term (10 assists).
It’s said of Nygren that he doesn’t do a whole lot apart from scoring and creating goals. What every manager in the world would give for such a one-dimensional creature.
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The Swede set Celtic on their way and Duran’s double did the rest, a gorgeous volley – on the back of hustling and harassing of the LASK defence – and then that sumptuous team goal that rounded it off.
O’Neill said the club has a bargain in Duran and the early signs are that he was an absolute steal at somewhere between £4.5m and £6m, depending on who’s talking.
The Colombian has intelligence and guile but he’s also got the work-ethic that means every bit as much as his other qualities.
In the 72nd minute, Celtic were 3-0 ahead, and yet there the 24-year-old was darting back into defence to help out, tracking LASK men until they were hounded out of possession.
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As much as his goals, his lung-busting effort to put in a shift made him a hero of the night for Celtic people. Honesty counts for a lot.
It’s easy to say that Celtic learned their lesson from a year ago and splashed the cash. They spent close to £30m and now they’re getting their reward. It’s never that simple.
Spending is something that Celtic have done a lot of over the years. Spending wisely has been their problem. Splurging money on last-minute loans who, surprisingly, turn out to be duds.
Forking out multiple millions on recent and not so recent failures – from Balikwisha to Barkas – has been the problem. The decision-making has been awful too often.
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Duran represents a return to form, a reminder of the days when they found value, mostly under Ange Postecoglou.
We’re too quick to write off players and we can also be too quick to brand them as stars in waiting. You should tread carefully at all times. With Duran we’ll take the plunge – this guy looks special.
Beyond offering a physical distraction, Kasper Hogh was quiet against LASK, but he will score plenty in the weeks and months ahead. At £11m, he, too, looks like money very well spent.
From O’Neill, there were wary words about assuming that this tie is over and also an unmissable reminder about the money Celtic have been spending on players.
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“We’re on the plus-side in terms of money,” he insisted – and he’s right. Celtic are in net profit on transfer fees. Four in, yes, but all funded by the sales of Arne Engels and Daizen Maeda with a few million left on top.
O’Neill’s message was that more needs to be done. Right, again. Now that the Champions League loot may be nigh we will get to see the scale of Celtic’s ambition.
They need another goalkeeper – not necessarily to replace Sinisalo, but to offer proper competition – another left-back, maybe another centre-back, a top-class defensive midfielder and a more creative central midfielder.
They don’t need all of this for domestic fights because they’ve probably already got enough to win the league and a cup or two.
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That’s not the testing ground. It wasn’t last year or the year before that or the year before that. For Celtic, with all the advantages they hold over most others in Scotland, the true barometer is Europe.
Their supporters don’t expect miracles, but wanting a piece of what Bodo/Glimt, Midtjylland, Freiburg, Rayo Vallecano and others had, or still have, is not unreasonable given the spending power that Celtic have.
They made a sure-footed step in the right direction on Wednesday. A stadium that has rocked to the sound of protest has now returned to deafening praise. Duran helped get them there and will be pivotal in trying to keep them there.
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