Chris Sutton has warned Celtic that their Champions League qualification is not achieved yet despite a commanding first leg win. The Bhoys won 3-0 in their first leg with LASK thanks the three top-drawer goals.
Benjamin Nygren kicked off the scoring, and Man of the Match Camilo Duran scored a brace to secure a commanding lead heading to Austria on Tuesday. Celtic rode their luck at times, with LASK finding space going forward, and they had two goals disallowed, while Viljami Sinisalo had to provide a sharp stop early in the second half.
But Celtic's quality finishing saw them come out on top, and they are now only 90 minutes away from the Champions League, along with its glamour and financial rewards. The Bhoys know it will be a tough test out in Austria, and LASK did look dangerous going forward.
The Austrian champions know that it will be game on if they can get a goal or two relatively early on, so the tie certainly isn't over, and Hoops favourite Sutton has said as much on X.
He posted: "Superb win for Celtic but LASK could’ve , should’ve scored a few. Tie not over. Donovan had his best game in a Celtic jersey. Sinisalo outstanding. Duran superb goals, a natural finisher and phenomenal work rate and Hogh gives the team that out ball and presence."
O'Neill agrees with Sutton
Speaking after the game, Celtic boss O'Neill sang a very similar tune, making it clear that he and his team are not getting ahead of themselves despite winning by such a commanding scoreline.
“I didn’t have to say it to the players in the dressing room,” he said. “They absolutely know. I think we are capable of scoring (over there) which we might need to do.
“I am not playing it down at all. We are a long way away, genuinely. Next Tuesday will be a big test for us. Our goals were fantastic, good enough to win any football match. But there is a long way to go yet.”
The Bhoys will feel that scoring first will be very important in Austria, and if they do, there will surely be no way back for the Austrian champions.
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