Celtic defeat LASK in Champions League play-off as Camilo Duran scores twice
Celtic have taken a massive step towards the Champions League group stages after Camilo Duran scored twice in a resounding 3-0 play-off first-leg victory over Austrian champions LASK in Glasgow.
The hosts delivered a ruthless attacking performance to put themselves firmly in control of the tie.
Barring an unlikely collapse in the return fixture, the Scottish side are now heavily favoured to secure a £40m European windfall.
A masterclass in rapid transition
While all three goals drew acclaim, the final strike of the evening showcased exactly how this team intends to operate on the continent.
A sweeping 30-second move began with goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo and involved rapid exchanges between Colby Donovan and Auston Trusty in defence.
Benjamin Nygren then combined brilliantly with the two-goal forward, sliding a perfectly weighted return pass for his teammate to rifle into the top corner.
The scintillating finish left the visiting defence completely carved open.
O’Neill urges caution despite dominant display
Despite the convincing scoreline, the Austrian cup winners created numerous opportunities throughout the breathless contest.
Manager Martin O’Neill preached caution in the aftermath, noting that his team will need to land a final knockout blow against dangerous opposition next week.
The veteran coach also singled out his teenage right-back for specific praise after a tireless shift.
“Big, big heart. Boundless enthusiasm.”
Such was the quality of Donovan’s display that he is already being tipped for a call-up to Sebastien Pocognoli’s next Scotland squad.
Banishing recent European demons
This commanding victory represents a stark contrast to recent continental campaigns.
The Glasgow outfit had managed just 10 victories in their previous 50 European fixtures.
It is also a dramatic turnaround from 12 months ago, when they suffered a dismal exit to Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty under former boss Brendan Rodgers.
Outstanding individual displays were everywhere on Wednesday, with Callum McGregor controlling the tempo and Nygren netting his fourth goal in as many games.