Colombian hotshot Camilo Duran sent Celtic back to the Champions League future with a double to down LASK. The £6million man made it a heavy night for the Austrians at Parkhead as the Hoops won the first leg of their playoff qualifier 3-0.
Where they're going, they might not need goals but a clean sheet would do the job and ensure their league phase hopes won't fade away like in previous seasons. And Daizen Maeda is now Celtic history after Duran's display made some onlookers forget all about him.
Fans Hail Duran as an Upgrade
Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, emailed: "I attended the match with friends from Newcastle and after witnessing Duran's dazzling display believed they had watched a Marty McFly moment. Like Newcastle legend Faustino Asprilla his fellow countryman, Duran is fast skilful and full of confidence and even this early I believe he’s an upgrade on Daizan Maeda."
"What a player Duran is and Baur looks to be similar quality, the best of it is we haven't even seen Hassan yet who’s stats for going past players at speed are among the best in Europe. With Jota and some new signings still to come in, the sky is the limit."
Charles Buchanan added: "That was a brilliant performance by Celtic on Wednesday, night magnificent goals. Should qualify but take nothing for granted they had couple of goals chopped of and are a decent team. Celtic will need to tighten it up at the back but I think we can score against the Austrians and go through ok."
Caution and Criticism from Callers
Kenny Wilson, Moffat, isn't counting his chickens yet either. He emailed: "A brilliant result and performance from Celtic to put them in a great position. Bit of a nervy start but 3 top class goals with Camilo Duran the stand out player once again but great performances all over the pitch. The tie is certainly not over as Lask showed they had plenty of quality and caused lots of problems for us but we’re certainly in pole position."
Arne Engels has flown the nest as John Scott, Grassmoor, took issue with the assessment that the Belgian is making a step down. He countered: "Stephen Mulhern was being a bit unrealistic with his assertion that Arne Engles was taking a step down heading to West Ham, rather than staying at Celtic for a Champions League qualifier. Has Stephen taken a look at the teams playing in this seasons English Championship? Huge clubs from all over England and Wales taking part in the second biggest league in the world. Can you really blame Engels jumping at the chance of being part of that? We all need to acknowledge that our two biggest clubs, in their present form, would struggle to get into the top half of the English Championship. Harsh but a sobering fact nonetheless."
Rangers Obsession and Old Firm Debate
Gordon Ashley, Ayr, said: "What a team Martin O' Neill is building here, we have quality and competition in every position and all young players whose value will rise and rise."
A few Hotline regulars will be glad to see Gordy focusing on his own team after his previous Hotline comments rattled some cages. George Wilson, West Sussex, didn't hold back: "Big game in Europe for Celtic but as usual Rangers obsessed Gordon Ashley has only one thing he wants to talk about. Rangers. This sad man actually hates Rangers more than he loves Celtic."
Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, told him: "While some Celtic fans would have been looking forward to their Champion's League qualifier it seems that Gordon Ashley is still focusing on Manny Fernandez escaping a second yellow in their 5-1 win against St Mirren. Proving once and for all that Rangers are the only ticket in town. Get over it Gordon there's more to life than The Famous Glasgow Rangers."
Stuart McLeod also hit back: "In response to Gordon Ashley, he will probably wait some time for the SFA's explanation as we are still waiting to find out how Daizen Maeda managed to commit eight fouls after being booked in an Old Firm match last season and managed to stay on the park. Selective viewing by some folk that watch football in Scotland and by the way I agree Manny Fernadez should have had a second yellow but don't only ask the question when the narrative suits."
Old Firm to England Proposal
Finally, Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny, has decided it's time to dust off the old Celtic and Rangers need to move to England record and give it a whirl: "The only way The old firm can progress and attract top drawer players is to move away from the Scottish set up and join the lower leagues in the English divisions just like Wrexham and others. Then the TV and big sponsors will come with their millions as billionaires owners buying shares like Man United and Liverpool sold stakes. The Old Firm have the fan base global as home grounds to fill in any given game as away as they both are stagnating here in a Mickey Mouse league and you can fly any where now so traveling not a problem. As it stands only filling other clubs pockets and both going nowhere fast, boring old football and results as you see in the Champions League."
