Celtic takes two-goal lead against LASK in UEFA Champions League play-off

Celtic Park was in full voice on August 19, 2026, and the Scottish champions gave their fans plenty to sing about. A commanding first-leg performance against Austrian side LASK Linz has put Celtic firmly in control of their UEFA Champions League play-off tie, with the hosts racing into a two-goal lead at home.

The result leaves LASK needing a turnaround in the second leg on August 25 in Austria.

Durán announces himself in style

The evening’s standout moment belonged to Camilo Durán, Celtic’s summer signing from Qarabağ, who arrived on July 10 for a reported fee of £5.5 million. The Colombian forward had already proven his credentials in European competition, netting five Champions League goals with Qarabağ during the 2025/26 season.

Benjamin Nygren opened the scoring in the 26th minute. Durán then doubled the advantage in the 38th minute with a sensational volley from the edge of the box. Sky Sports called it a “stunner.”

Martin O’Neill’s summer business paying dividends

Celtic’s starting lineup featured several new faces, including Durán, Danish forward Kasper Høgh, and Mika Baur, all slotting in alongside established pillars like captain Callum McGregor and the returning Kieran Tierney.

Celtic entered this play-off on the back of a perfect start to their domestic campaign, including a 4-0 demolition of Dundee United in the League Cup on August 15.

What reaching the group stage means for Celtic

Qualification for the Champions League group stage would represent a significant milestone for Celtic under O’Neill. The financial implications alone are substantial, with group-stage participation delivering tens of millions in UEFA prize money and broadcasting revenue.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.