Martin O'Neill wanted quality over quantity. It turns out you can have both. Celtic fans feared their team was undercooked going into this clash with LASK. Instead they were cooking on gas. It's not job done yet but a three goal lead going to Austria next week is about as good as it gets.
And what about those goals? Calling them quality would be an understatement. Try sublime instead. The trio served up were so delicious you could stick a Michelin star on the green and white shirts.
Duran Double Seals Dominant Win
Benjamin Nygren sparked it with a sensational hook on the half turn before new hero Camilo Duran slammed in scorchers either side of half-time on a thrilling night in Glasgow's East End. LASK arrived with a squad of giants usually found at the top of a beanstalk. The route one Austrians had their moments and Glasgow hasn't seen an aerial assault like this since the Luftwaffe passed over on the way to Clydebank. But it was Celts who soared the heights.
They had a couple of early scares with LASK's Moses Usor seeing a goal ruled out for offside after just 29 seconds and Samuel Adeniran having another chalked later on. At times, they really had to dig in at the back to keep the visitors at bay – especially late on when a goal back would have been as sore as costly.
Nygren and Baur Shine
Celts came through the early bumps and got a grip long before Nygren's screamer midway through the first half, when he latched onto the loose ball from Kieran Tierney's cross and superbly tucked in the top corner. Duran was desperate to get in the act and came close a few times before slamming in a jaw-dropper of his own – flushing his volley into the top bin from just inside the box. LASK looked shell shocked and Celts chased a third. They got it another strike that had punters drooling when a sweeping move involving Kasper Hogh, Nygren and others teed up Duran to curl a beauty high into the net.
Nygren blasted 21 goals last season but still had his doubters. They are few and far between now, though, with the Swede starting the season with a bang. He made it four goals in as many games this term and he'll be hard pushed to top this one all year. The bargain buy from Nordsjaelland put in an almighty shift, with and without the ball.
Defensive Resilience and Midfield Promise
Losing Alistair Johnson to injury gave O'Neill a major headache. But youngster Colby Donovan didn't half step up. The kid had his work cut out dealing with the threat down his side but he hurled himself into tackles and blocks. He was heroic all night and at one point skipper Callum McGregor gave him a round applause – and the crowd joined in. Likewise on the other flank. It was vintage Kieran Tierney with a couple of assists in a barnstorming show. New Scotland boss Sebastian Pocognoli was in the stands and the Belgian must have been buzzing to see a couple of hometown boys doing the business.
Celtic fans were worried selling Arne Engels without a replacement lined up could back to bite them. The Hoops have been left light in the engine room but Baur's full debut should provide plenty of optimism. The German might not the same profile as the departed Belgian – but he already looks a player. Baur slotted into a more Reo Hatate style role in midfield but he was much more careful on the ball than the frozen out Japanese cap. The 22-year-old constantly demanded the ball, knitted the play really well from middle to front and didn't shy away from getting stuck in, despite being up against man mountains.
Job Not Yet Done
The Austrian champs might be rough and rugged but they can produce moments of quality. It's not often you see European teams going route one but this lot love to shell it, and it can be a nightmare for defences. Adeniran up top is a battering ram and it took Cameron Carter-Vickers a while to work out how best to deal with him. The Celt star survived his early scare and was absolutely outstanding to eventually came out on top. But the centre half and the rest of the Hoops can expect more of the same in Linz next week as they need to go for broke. The proved here they won't be bullied by these big units and if they can keep their cool and stick to their game next week, they should finish the job.
