Celtic 3–0 LASK: O’Neill Warns It's Not Over Yet

Celtic have one hand on a place in the Champions League league phase, but Martin O’Neill is in no mood for celebrations yet.

On a sharp, restless night at Celtic Park, his team delivered a ruthless 3-0 win over LASK, a scoreline that screams control and authority. The manager’s verdict? “Really tough evening.”

It certainly didn’t feel comfortable at the start.

LASK’s early shock, Celtic’s response

Inside the opening minute, LASK thought they had stunned the stadium. The ball was in the net, away fans already roaring, only for the flag to go up. Offside. A warning, not a wound.

O’Neill had seen it coming. He had told his players about the Austrian side’s pace and threat, and LASK backed that up with a blistering start that left Celtic scrambling to find their rhythm. For 10, maybe 15 minutes, the visitors looked sharper, quicker, more aggressive.

Then Celtic settled. And when they did, they punished.

Benjamin Nygren broke the deadlock with a strike worthy of the occasion, stepping up from distance and drilling a brilliant effort from outside the box. One clean hit, one huge shift in the tie. The anxiety in the stands eased; the belief on the pitch grew.

Duran takes over

If Nygren opened the door, Camilo Duran stormed through it.

Just before half-time, Duran produced the night’s standout moment. A stunning volley, the kind that silences everything for a split-second before the noise explodes. Technique, timing, conviction – all there. Chris Sutton, watching on duty, was among those left raving about the finish.

At 2-0, Celtic had breathing space. They didn’t waste it.

After the break, Duran struck again, this time adding his second to cap a commanding European performance. It wasn’t just a brace; it was a statement. LASK, who had started so brightly, were now staring at a three-goal deficit and a mountain to climb back in Austria.

Celtic, by contrast, walked off the pitch knowing they are potentially 90 minutes from the Champions League proper.

O’Neill’s warning shot

The scoreline might tempt some to think the tie is already done. O’Neill will not let that idea anywhere near his dressing room.

“I thought it was a really tough evening for us,” he told TNT Sports. “We won 3-0, and they’re a really good side.”

He doubled down on the respect for LASK’s quality and speed in attack, calling them “a very, very, very fine, talented team” and stressing that Celtic “still have our work cut out”.

That disallowed first-minute goal lingers in his mind as proof of the danger. So does that opening spell when LASK “started so brightly it was untrue”.

So Celtic travel to Austria with a commanding lead, confidence high, forwards in form, and a manager refusing to let anyone think the job is already finished.

Three goals to the good, one step from the Champions League. Now comes the real test: can they finish what they started?