Celtic Prepare for Crucial Clash in Austria Against LASK

Celtic head to Austria on Tuesday night with a three-goal cushion, a place in the UEFA Champions League league phase within touching distance and a warning siren ringing in the background. LASK have just ended a 61-year wait for the Austrian Bundesliga title and rarely flinch on their own patch. This is no lap of honour.

Martin O’Neill knows it. Last season’s bruises in Europe forced a rethink, and Celtic responded by targeting quality over volume in the transfer market. The result is a sharper, more ruthless squad that has burst out of the blocks across all competitions. Even away from home, they travel as clear favourites against Die Laskler.

The job, though, is not done.

Sinisalo’s Stage

Between the posts, Viljami Sinisalo has quietly turned an opportunity into a statement. Promoted to first choice after Kasper Schmeichel’s injury earlier this year, the Finnish goalkeeper has grown with every outing. He will need that same authority in Linz, where one early save or one misstep can flip the mood inside the stadium.

Celtic are still scanning the market for another goalkeeper, but right now this is Sinisalo’s shirt and his European night to command.

Back Four With Bite

The backline almost picks itself. With Alistair Johnston sidelined until October, Colby Donovan is set to continue at right-back. The American was heavily involved in the first leg at Celtic Park and offers a mix of aggression and energy that O’Neill trusts on nights like this.

In the middle, the USMNT pairing of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty has given Celtic a rugged core. Carter-Vickers brings the usual authority, Trusty adds athleticism and recovery pace, and together they have looked increasingly unflustered under pressure.

On the left, Kieran Tierney is non-negotiable. His driving runs, sharp angles in possession and defensive tenacity make him irreplaceable in this system. If O’Neill needs to reshuffle late on, Liam Scales is likely to be the first defensive option off the bench, offering cover both at centre-half and left-back.

Double Pivot, Fresh Face

The biggest change sits in midfield. Celtic have moved swiftly to replace Arne Engels, bringing in Mika Baur to anchor the centre of the pitch. The German playmaker is expected to operate from deep, forming a double pivot with captain Callum McGregor.

Baur’s passing range and McGregor’s tempo-setting should give Celtic control in a hostile environment, allowing them to slow the game when needed and spring forward when LASK overcommit.

Waiting in reserve is serious experience and craft. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Luke McCowan and Reo Hatate are all likely to be held back as second-half options, ready to inject fresh legs and different angles of attack if the tie tightens.

Wide Threat and Relentless Press

Benjamin Nygren arrives in Austria in sparkling form. He both scored and assisted in the 3-0 first-leg win at Parkhead, drifting into clever pockets and punishing every loose ball. His confidence is obvious, and Celtic will again look to him as a key creative outlet between the lines.

On the opposite flank, Yang Hyun-jun is expected to keep his place. His finishing and final ball still need polish, but his relentless pressing and work rate have become vital to Celtic’s high-energy approach. He stretches defences, harries full-backs and sets the tone from the front. That’s enough to edge him ahead of Sebastian Tounekti in the pecking order for now.

If the game opens up late, O’Neill has options. Tounekti, veteran James Forrest and big-money signing Haissem Hassan all offer different threats from wide areas, whether Celtic are chasing a goal or killing time on the counter.

Duran’s Sacrifice, Høgh’s Reward

Up top, the dynamic has shifted. Camilo Duran prefers to operate as a classic No. 9, but he has willingly moved to accommodate Kasper Høgh through the middle. The switch has not dulled his impact. Duran struck twice in the first leg, timing his runs superbly as LASK’s backline crumbled under pressure.

Høgh, meanwhile, occupies defenders, links play and gives Celtic a focal point that allows the runners behind him to thrive. It is a partnership built on selflessness and movement rather than ego, and it has already started to pay off.

With a 3-0 advantage, O’Neill could be tempted to rotate. The reality is different. LASK’s title-winning swagger and fierce home form demand respect, and Celtic will travel with a side strong enough to finish the job properly.

They have one foot in the Champions League. In Austria, they find out whether this revamped Celtic side has the maturity to plant the other.