Celtic 3–0 LASK: Duran's Double Leads Hoops

Celtic have one hand on a place in the Champions League league phase after dismantling LASK 3–0 at a raucous Celtic Park – but Martin O’Neill is having none of the early celebrations.

His team were ruthless. He was relentless in warning the job is only half done.

Early scare, ruthless response

The night almost exploded into disaster. LASK had the ball in the net inside the opening minute, celebrating what looked like the perfect start, only to see it ruled out for offside.

They came flying out of the traps, full of pace and intent, and Celtic took a good 10 to 15 minutes to find their rhythm. O’Neill had warned his players about that threat.

“I said to the players beforehand that they've got plenty of pace up front,” he told TNT Sports. “They're a very, very, very fine, talented team.”

Once Celtic settled, the tone of the tie changed.

Benjamin Nygren delivered the first real moment of class, stepping up from distance and ripping a brilliant strike from outside the box to break the deadlock. It calmed the nerves and lit up the stadium. From there, Celtic began to play with authority.

Duran steals the show

Then came the headline act.

Camilo Duran took centre stage and turned a strong performance into a statement European night. Shortly before half-time, he produced a stunning volley, the kind of finish that stops a game for a second as everyone takes it in. Chris Sutton was among those left raving about the technique and composure.

If that was the highlight, Duran wasn’t finished. After the break, he added his second, killing LASK’s resistance and capping a superb team display. At 3–0, Celtic had a commanding cushion and a scoreline that reflected their growing control after that rocky opening spell.

The pressure had finally told. LASK’s bright start felt a long time ago.

O’Neill keeps feet on the ground

The supporters left dreaming of the Champions League proper. Celtic now travel to Austria knowing they are potentially just 90 minutes away from the league phase.

O’Neill, though, cut a more measured figure.

“I thought it was a really tough evening for us. Really tough evening,” he said. “We won 3-0, and they're a really good side. We still have our work cut out, but we've given ourselves a chance, let me put it that way.

“They scored a goal just in the first minute chalked off for offside or whatever it was, and they started so brightly it was untrue.”

That early warning is clearly still on his mind. LASK showed enough in those opening exchanges to remind Celtic this tie is not dead. Not yet.

Celtic hold a three-goal lead and all the momentum. Austria will reveal whether this was simply a brilliant first act – or the night that truly launched their Champions League campaign.