Celtic's Strong Attack Beats LASK in Champions League Playoff First Leg
AM730 · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago3 MIN
Summary
Celtic demonstrated their continental pedigree with a dominant 4-0 victory over LASK in the first leg of their Champions League playoff at Celtic Park on August 20 . The Scottish champions, who finished fifth in the Scottish Premiership last season before clinching the title on the final day, showed why they belong in Europe's elite competition against an opponent whose recent European record pales in comparison . Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, despite recent health concerns requiring hospitalization, was on the bench to witness his side's commanding performance in what promises to be a lucrative return to the Champions League group stage .
Key Points
- Celtic routed LASK 4-0 at Celtic Park on August 20, 2025, in the Champions League playoff first leg
- Celtic secured their fifth consecutive Scottish Premiership title last season by winning the final match against Hearts
- Manager Brendan Rodgers returned to the touchline after being hospitalized for a recent illness, guiding Celtic to a 4-0 Scottish League Cup quarter-final win against Dundee United
- Celtic sold Japanese international Daizen Maeda and Belgian forward Nicolas-Gerrit Kacenelenbogen during the summer transfer window
- New arrivals Carlos Duran from Qarabağ and Kasper Hjulmand from Bodø/Glimt joined established striker Kyogo Furuhashi, who was Celtic's top scorer last season
- LASK won the Austrian Bundesliga last season to qualify directly for the Champions League playoffs
- LASK's attacking duo Moses Makasi and Samuel Edenyi showed early-season form but struggled against Celtic's defense in Glasgow
- Celtic competed in the Champions League proper two seasons ago and the Europa League last season, ranking 21st in both competitions
- While Celtic's rivals Rangers, Hearts, Motherwell, and Kilmarnock all dropped to the Europa Conference League playoffs, Celtic targets a return to the Champions League group stage
- The second leg will be held at LASK's Linzer Stadion in Austria, with Celtic holding a commanding 4-0 lead
Why It Matters
Celtic's victory puts them firmly on course to earn substantial revenue from participation in the Champions League group stage, which offers significantly higher financial rewards than the Europa League or Europa Conference League . The performance also validates Celtic's summer transfer strategy of replacing departed stars with fresh talent capable of performing immediately in high-stakes European fixtures .
Celtic's victory puts them firmly on course to earn substantial revenue from participation in the Champions League group stage, which offers significantly higher financial rewards than the Europa League or Europa Conference League . The performance also validates Celtic's summer transfer strategy of replacing departed stars with fresh talent capable of performing immediately in high-stakes European fixtures .