GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 19: Celtic's Camilo Duran celebrates after scoring to make it 3-0 during a UEFA Champions League Play-Off Round first-leg match between Celtic and LASK, at Celtic Park, on August 19, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Rod Stewart enjoyed Celtic’s 3-0 Champions League win over LASK as much as any fan.
Camilo Duran was the hero of the night with a goal in each half, Duran Duran has a ring to it.
The TNT cameras turned to the Directors Box in the 67th minute after the Colombian put Celtic 3-0 in front.
Rather than polite applause the 80-something was up out of his seat celebrating as Celtic took a huge step towards the group stage of the Champions League.
¡Sir Rod Stewart celebra en Celtic Park el segundo GOOOLAZO de Camilo Durán!https://t.co/EVbuNXsmTc pic.twitter.com/KnBmm5JnkC
— Mauricio Andrés Luna Aroztegüi (@MauricioAndrsL6) August 19, 2026
It was the ideal result for Martin O’Neill as things clicked for his new look side after a worrying start.
Within the first three minutes LASK had a ‘goal’ disallowed for offside and missed a one on one chance.
The match started to turn Celtic’s way in the 26th minute.
After good play down the left the ball was cleared to the edge of the penalty box and hooked into the top corner of the net from Ben Nygren.
Four matches into the new season the Swede has four goals to his name.
That goal settled Celtic and jolted the Austrians.
In the 38th minute it was Duran’s turn to pop a goal in from an almost identical position.
LASK didn’t know what had hit them, they had played well, created chances, had two ‘goals’ disallowed and trailed 2-0.
CELTIC IN THE DRIVING SEAT
The second half went from end to end but in the iconic 67th minute Duran supplied another moment of class.
A brilliantly constructed move down the right created space in the box with the former Qarabag man placing his high into the net.
That goal sparked wild scenes of celebration as Stewart looked out on another famous European night at Celtic Park.
Every player involved had a role to play, Vin Sinisalo pulled off a couple of vital saves with Colby Donovan solid at right back.
Only a disaster will now prevent Celtic from reaching the group stage and eight huge midweek matches into the end of January.
With a free weekend full focus is now on Austria next week and a golden chance to rejoin the European elite.
I was worried about Colby Donovan starting but he was outstanding. Thought big Kasper did a great job despite not scoring, but Duran … whit a pler.
Let’s just call him Rio,and he dances on a football pitch.
You could say ,He Is Hungry Like The Wolf,for goals.
He could always,Save A Prayer.
Maybe he likes,Girls On Film.
But then again maybe it’s just an,Ordinary World.
Or you could say it’s,The Reflex to getting them goals.
Bauer looks a player
Only caught the highlights, but looked better than we have for a long time.
Duran, Bauer both look extremely promising, as for Nygren, no idea why he got the abuse he did last season, but with the proper support around him he’s a revelation, a very important player for us now.
My one gripe? As I have said already, CCV is paceless and will cost us dear as the season progresses as once a player gets past him he’s gone…we will get punished severely once we get better teams.
Delighted with our 3-0 victory over a very good Linz team. An outstanding team performance with three brilliant goals as well. I agree with B4L that lack of pace in central defence might cost us going forward but hopefully if we can get through next week we can look at an addition in this area (btw I’m not sure that 3-0 will be enough going over there, and as Kasper Schmeichal stated in his post match interview, the next goal in this tie is of vital importance, I can still remember MTK Budapest back in 1964).
A magnificent performance tonight and I expect us to be more solid at the back next week, and hopefully get a goal to ensure our progress into the UCL. Well done tonight, Celtic. HH
Also meant to say that I hope after watching tonight’s game that some EPL clubs don’t come calling for Nygren and Duran during this transfer window. Perish the thought….
Pure FANTASTIC result there tonight…
But we well need to afford them the greatest of respect on Tuesday…
Looks like a good idea to opt out of St.Johnstone now…
Hopefully LASK have a League game though !