Martin O’Neill hailed Camilo Duran’s “world-class performance” after the forward scored twice in Celtic’s emphatic 3-0 victory over LASK at Celtic Park, putting the Scottish side within touching distance of a return to the Champions League.
Celtic made the ideal start to the first leg of their play-off, although LASK briefly thought they had taken the lead in the opening minute before their effort was ruled out for offside.
The hosts then grew into the contest and broke the deadlock in the 26th minute through Benjamin Nygren. The midfielder produced a superb left-footed strike which flew into the top-right corner, giving Lukas Jungwirth no chance.
Duran doubled Celtic’s advantage seven minutes before half-time with an equally impressive finish. The Colombian met the ball 20 yards from goal and sent a powerful volley beyond Jungwirth.
Celtic continued to threaten after the interval and added a third goal in the 67th minute. Duran completed a flowing team move by guiding a side-footed effort into the roof of the net, securing his second goal of the night.
The result gives Celtic a commanding advantage before the second leg in Austria next week. O’Neill’s side are now on the brink of reaching Europe’s premier club competition for the first time since 2024-25, after they were eliminated in the play-offs last season.
Duran’s performance was particularly eye-catching after his summer move from Qarabag. He led every Celtic player for shots, with six, touches in the opposition penalty area, with five, and dribbles, with six.
“I thought it was a really tough evening for us. They are a really good side. We’ve got our work cut out, but we’ve given ourselves a chance,” O’Neill told TNT Sports.
“They scored a goal in the first minute, offside, and it took us 10-15 minutes to get into our stride.
“[Camilo Duran’s] a brilliant player. We spotted him way back some time ago and tried to get him earlier than we did.
“I’m not saying he was a world-class player, but that was a world-class performance, taking people on and getting back.
“It was a great result for us tonight, but there is a long way to go.
“Last season, for most of it, you were wondering where a goal might come from. Here, we are able to conjure goals. Keeping a clean sheet was very important for us as well.”
Celtic will travel to Austria looking to complete the job and avoid a dramatic collapse. A year ago, they were knocked out by Kairat Almaty on penalties after two successive 0-0 draws.
Despite the scale of Celtic’s victory, the underlying numbers demonstrate why O’Neill remains cautious. Celtic recorded an expected goals total of 0.87 from 17 attempts, while LASK’s 20 shots produced an xG figure of 1.75 against goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo.
The Austrian side therefore created the better statistical chances, even though Celtic were clinical in front of goal and secured a clean sheet.
Celtic captain Callum McGregor said the players were determined to finish the tie in the second leg.
“We are trying to get the club in the Champions League. Only halfway there but a fantastic performance. We have to finish it off next week,” he said.
“The group is good and doing well. We are always trying to work and get better. The confidence grows; it’s only halfway.
“It’s our job to create the atmosphere and bring happiness.
“It was important we try to strengthen. It’s small steps, and we have a really tough game next week.”
