The Swedish player gave Celtic the perfect start before Duran took charge with two goals. His first was a stunning volley created by relentless pressure on the LASK defence, while his second completed a magnificent team move.
O’Neill believes Celtic secured an outstanding deal by signing Duran for a reported fee of between £4.5m and £6m. His early performances suggest the club paid far less than his true value.
The Colombian combines awareness and creativity with an exceptional willingness to work, a quality that is every bit as important as his technical ability.
Even with Celtic leading 3-0 in the 72nd minute, the 24-year-old raced back to support the defence, followed the LASK players closely and helped force them to surrender possession.
His tireless contribution impressed Celtic supporters just as much as his goals, making him one of the evening’s standout figures. That level of commitment carries enormous value.
It would be tempting to claim Celtic simply responded to last year’s disappointment by investing nearly £30m and are now enjoying the benefits. In reality, successful recruitment is rarely so straightforward.
Celtic have regularly invested in players over the years, but using that money effectively has often proved difficult. Too many rushed loan signings have arrived late and failed to make the expected impact.
The club has also spent substantial fees on unsuccessful recruits, with Balikwisha and Barkas among the examples. Poor judgment in the transfer market has cost them far too frequently.
Duran signals a welcome improvement in recruitment and recalls the period, particularly under Ange Postecoglou, when Celtic repeatedly identified excellent value.
Players are often dismissed too soon, just as promising newcomers can be labelled future stars prematurely, so caution is usually sensible. Duran, however, already appears to possess something exceptional.
Kasper Hogh offered a physical presence but otherwise had a subdued match against LASK. Nevertheless, he should contribute plenty of goals in the coming weeks and months, and his £11m fee may also prove to be an excellent investment.
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