Celtic Champions League Playoff: O'Neill Praises Durán in 3-0 Win

A brilliant brace from new arrival Camilo Durán gave Celtic a commanding advantage over Lask in their Champions League playoff. Benjamin Nygren also found the net with an outstanding finish as Martin O’Neill’s team secured a 3-0 victory in the first leg against the Austrian visitors in Glasgow.

Lask had two goals ruled out for offside and created several opportunities during an entertaining match, but Celtic made the most of their chances as their impressive start to the campaign continued. Nygren has played a central role in that form, contributing four goals and four assists across four matches. He opened the scoring in the 26th minute, adjusting his position before volleying into the top corner from 20 yards after Lask failed to clear Kieran Tierney’s cross.

Twelve minutes later, Durán produced a nearly identical finish. After another Tierney delivery was headed away, the Colombian struck first time from the same area and found the same corner of the goal.

The former Qarabag striker completed his double in the middle of the second half. After Kasper Høgh flicked the ball on, Durán combined with Nygren before calmly placing his shot into the top corner from inside the penalty area.

O’Neill praised Durán’s contribution, saying: “He was outstanding. He has been excellent since joining the club. His finishing was superb, but his overall play was just as impressive. He worked tirelessly, tracked back and supported the full-backs, including Colby [Donovan], on several occasions. It was a remarkable performance.

“If he can avoid injuries, he has the potential to become a very, very good player. Whatever we spent on Durán, he has already justified it. When you compare that fee with the sums being discussed for players in the Premier League, it looks like excellent business.

“He feels like a real bargain at around £4.5m. The centre-forward, Høgh, has also added a physical presence that we lacked last season, even though Daizen [Maeda] was arguably the player who carried us to the title. It is good to have that option now.”

The result leaves Celtic in a strong position ahead of next Tuesday’s return match in Linz and has relieved some of the tension among supporters following another difficult transfer period.

Celtic were eliminated at this stage last season after failing to score against Kairat Almaty, having not secured an established striker. Durán and Høgh have addressed that weakness, although several other additions arrived slowly, with German midfielder Mika Baur making his home debut from the start.

The 22-year-old was selected after Arne Engels left for West Ham at the weekend. His departure added to the concerns of supporters, who had watched Celtic fall short in each of their previous five qualifying campaigns. Before last season’s loss to the Kazakhstan club, they had also been knocked out by AEK Athens, Cluj, Ferencvaros and Midtjylland in recent years.

The home crowd created a vibrant atmosphere before kick-off, but Celtic faced immediate danger. Moses Usor struck a superb volley into the top corner within the opening 30 seconds, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. Samuel Adeniran then missed the target after breaking through on goal.

The Lask attacker soon tested Viljami Sinisalo, while Celtic appeared vulnerable in central midfield without Engels. Durán threatened from two promising positions before Nygren eventually gave the hosts the lead.

Lask had a headed effort ruled out for offside before Durán scored his first goal. Sinisalo then made two further saves to preserve Celtic’s advantage before half-time.

Celtic captain Callum McGregor saw a deflected effort from 20 yards rebound off the inside of a post as the second half continued at an energetic pace. Usor later wasted two excellent chances for the visitors.

Reo Hatate received a huge ovation when he entered the match, potentially marking one of his final appearances at Celtic’s home ground. Durán went close twice from distance before completing his second goal of the evening.

The forward earned another loud cheer after racing back to his own byline to make an important defensive challenge. Sinisalo remained composed in goal as Celtic held on to their clean sheet.