Camilo Durán's brace on a frenetic night in Glasgow made it abundantly clear where the Champions League playoff is headed: Celtic, barring a collapse of historic proportions, are returning to Europe's premier club competition after beating LASK 3-0.
The Scots' third goal was particularly telling of the style of football they intend to play. It lasted less than 30 seconds: it began with goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo, moved to right-back Colby Donovan, came back to the goalkeeper and reached left-back Auston Trusty. From there, the ball circulated through midfield to Benjamin Nygren, who passed it to Durán. Durán returned the pass to Nygren to enter the opposition box, and Nygren played it back to Durán, who finished with a cutback shot to the corner.
Martin O'Neill, Celtic's manager, praised LASK, the Austrian champions and cup winners, and warned of caution ahead of the return leg. The visitors created numerous chances in Glasgow on Wednesday, and had O'Neill's team not been in top form, the tie could be more complicated. However, Celtic obtained a solid advantage from a position of strength, with the prize of approximately 40 million euros additional for the winner.
Nygren scored his fourth goal in four matches. Callum McGregor was exceptional in keeping Celtic dominant. Colby Donovan, the teenager on the right flank, showed hunger for the game and effectiveness. O'Neill described the youngster as "great-hearted" with "unlimited enthusiasm".
For Durán, Celtic's manager said the club has "a bargain" in the Colombian. Early signs suggest it was a steal at between 4.5 and 6 million euros. Beyond his goals, his defensive work—in the 72nd minute, with the score at 3-0, he was still dropping deep to press LASK's attackers—made him the hero of the night. O'Neill recalled that Celtic needs to keep investing wisely in signings. The club is in positive figures in terms of sales, after letting go of Arne Engels and Daizen Maeda.
