Ruthless Celtic Punish LASK With Three Moments of Magic

An awful start — a goal for LASK inside 30 seconds, though thankfully ruled offside. Tremendous finish, mind you. Then, moments later, Adeniran burst clear after outpacing Carter‑Vickers and steered his shot wide with only the keeper to beat. Wake up, Celtic. Shocking stuff, and we’re barely two minutes in.

Celtic finally apply some pressure and seem to settle. Nygren hits a weak free‑kick from outside the area. Duran then gets a half‑chance but can only flick it wide — promising signs. LASK remain dangerous; their number 7 looks certain to score tonight. He has pace, strength, and another decent chance, but it’s straight at Sinisalo for a comfortable save.

Only ten minutes gone and we’ve gifted two or three attempts. Again LASK come forward, and a header is safely caught by Sinisalo. Warning signs everywhere after less than fifteen minutes. I’ve never liked these big Celtic matches in the rain — they usually end badly, and this feels ominous. We’ve yet to gain any control. Up against a 3‑5‑2, our midfield is nowhere to be seen. Baur is running around aimlessly so far.

A great pass forward from Donovan on 17 minutes almost plays Duran through. He hesitates and the chance slips away. There are possibilities against their three‑man defence. Baur nicks the ball into Høgh, but the defender blocks the effort and Celtic win their first corner after 18 minutes. It comes to nothing. So much for the new set‑piece coach — no improvement so far.

Halfway through the first half and still 0‑0. Celtic begin to edge possession, but LASK are lively and ready to pounce. Boom. Nygren — who else — sweeps a loose ball into the top‑right corner from 20 yards. He’s started this season on fire, continuing his superb debut campaign. 1‑0 Celtic, but LASK still carry real threat.

Yang is almost in but muscled off it in the box. No foul. LASK nearly cut through us again, but Donovan anticipates brilliantly and clears. He’s had a strong start — not my favourite player, but fair play, he’s sticking in. Minutes later he’s involved again. He’s rising to the challenge.

LASK take control around the half‑hour mark. Celtic need to steady themselves. LASK score — a header from Adeniran — but he’s offside. Too easy, and the cross came from Donovan’s side. He must keep going. He’s started well, but LASK are slick on the counter.

Høgh has barely touched the ball, but I don’t mind — I see him as our Haaland. Let’s hope.

Incredible moment: Tierney intercepts, the cross is cleared, and Duran volleys into the same corner Nygren found earlier. 2‑0 Celtic. Let’s not mess this up.

Seven minutes plus added time to come in an eventful first half. Trusty’s flicked header from a corner is high and wide. Tierney keeps finding clever spaces, and his ball into Nygren hits the Swede’s hand. LASK resort to long‑range efforts that don’t trouble Sinisalo. If it’s 2‑0 at half‑time, I’ll gladly take it.

Donovan again excels with an interception. He’s on it tonight. Nygren tries to slide Yang in but it’s cut out. Almost. Donovan dispossesses his man again as the half closes. Two wonder goals — and Donovan is my man of the match so far.

Second Half

A low‑key start, which might suit Celtic. Baur attempts a volley from 25 yards — no repeat of the earlier wonder goals, but a good effort. He begins to influence things with neat touches. Yang has had an awful match — not for the first time in a Celtic shirt.

55 minutes: still 2‑0, but the match feels evenly poised. A nervous atmosphere hangs over the stadium. McGregor has a pop from distance; it deflects off Høgh’s midriff onto the post and away. Celtic assert pressure approaching the hour mark. LASK look short of ideas, but any slip could be costly.

From nowhere, LASK break. Their right‑sided forward is played in and shoots from just inside the box — over the bar. A decent chance and a reminder of the danger. LASK begin to dominate and Sinisalo makes a big save after Usuar turns Trusty inside out. They come again, but Celtic avert danger. We need a response.

Duran has a speculative effort but doesn’t connect. 63 minutes and still 2‑0. Hatate replaces Baur — hopefully the Hatate we know and love. Baur may have taken a knock.

Duran is playing superbly and opens up another chance, but his strike is wide. And boom — Duran again, after lovely build‑up play involving Høgh and Nygren. He lashes it high into the top‑left corner. 3‑0 Celtic. Dreamland… almost. Still 25 minutes plus added time to go.

LASK continue with long‑range efforts. We must stay alert. Their attacks might play into our hands. I’d like to see Hassan replace Yang — he might offer something.

Duran is everywhere — chasing back, winning a goal kick. He will be one of our new heroes, I’m certain. Høgh starts to influence things subtly: winning possession, linking play. 73 minutes.

LASK win a corner; a tame header goes wide. Adeniran has another attempt but Sinisalo saves. Yang and Tierney make way for Tounekti and Scales. Celtic appear in control approaching 80 minutes, but a quick LASK break leads to a deflected effort off Trusty’s arm for a corner. More pressure. Nygren blocks, then a sliced LASK shot goes wide. Not the time to defend too deep.

Nine minutes left. Protect this at all costs.

Jørgensen receives the first yellow of the match for a cynical challenge on Nygren. Hassan replaces Duran; Ralston replaces Donovan. Let’s hope Hassan can make an impact.

Scales hits an effort from distance — wide. Celtic win a corner. McGregor shoots from distance; the keeper parries. 85 minutes. LASK push again, but Celtic look comfortable despite the nerves.

Hassan looks lively and wins a corner. Trusty header and goal, please? Nygren plays it short to Hassan, who toys with the defender and wins another corner. Tounekti picks up a loose ball, works an angle, and wins yet another corner. Better pressure, but the keeper eventually claims and releases a LASK attack.

Three minutes added. Hold, Celtic. Please hold.

A desperate LASK effort flies high. Ninety seconds left. Full time: 3‑0 Celtic.

Superior finishing — and what superb goals from Nygren and Duran — but this tie is not over. We must be on guard in Austria. Everyone played their part tonight.