NafisaCeltic have given themselves a huge advantage in their Champions League qualifying tie against LASK after a convincing 3-0 victory at Parkhead.
Martin O’Neill’s side produced another encouraging attacking display on Wednesday night, putting one foot firmly in the next stage of the competition before the second leg in Austria next Tuesday.
But despite the impressive scoreline, there was one major warning that refused to go away.
LASK had opportunities.
And had the Austrian side been more clinical, Celtic’s night could have looked very different.
That was the key message from former Celtic striker Chris Sutton after the final whistle.
Sutton delivers his Celtic verdict
Sutton took to X immediately after the match to assess Celtic’s performance, praising several players while making it clear that the tie is far from over.
The former Hoops striker wrote:
«“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 👏👏🍀”»
It was a typically balanced assessment from Sutton.
The former England international was clearly impressed by Celtic’s attacking quality and the performances of several individuals, but he refused to ignore the chances conceded.
And that warning could be particularly important ahead of the return fixture.
Sinisalo answers the big question
One of the biggest positives was undoubtedly Viljami Sinisalo.
The Finnish goalkeeper was outstanding when called upon and produced the kind of performance Celtic will need if they are serious about progressing deep into European competition.
Sutton singled him out as “outstanding”, and there was little argument with that assessment.
Celtic were not completely dominant throughout the night, meaning Sinisalo’s interventions were crucial.
The goalkeeper looked comfortable when pressure arrived and demonstrated that he could potentially thrive when Celtic are tested on the European stage.
That is an encouraging development for O’Neill.
Donovan takes another huge step
Another player to emerge with considerable credit was Colby Donovan.
The young Scottish defender stepped in at right-back with Alistair Johnston unavailable and arguably pushed Camilo Durán close for the man-of-the-match award.
Sutton described it as Donovan’s best performance in a Celtic shirt.
That is significant praise considering the pressure surrounding the position.
Donovan looked increasingly confident as the evening progressed, contributing defensively while also showing the composure required to play in O’Neill’s system.
For Celtic, his development could prove hugely valuable over the course of the season.
Durán steals the show
If one player captured the imagination more than anyone else, however, it was Camilo Durán.
The attacker was deployed out wide on the right despite being more naturally associated with a central role.
It did not stop him from producing the decisive moments.
Durán scored twice, with both goals demonstrating the quality of his left foot as he moved inside from the flank.
He also combined impressively with Benjamin Nygren, who opened the scoring and helped Celtic establish control early in the contest.
Sutton described Durán as a “natural finisher” and praised his “phenomenal work rate”.
That combination could make him a particularly dangerous weapon for O’Neill.
Høgh provides something Celtic have been missing
Kasper Høgh may not have found the net, but his contribution was still heavily praised.
The Danish forward gave Celtic an outlet at the top of the pitch, occupying defenders and providing a physical presence that allowed teammates to push higher.
His willingness to compete for difficult balls also gave Celtic another route forward when LASK attempted to apply pressure.
And perhaps most importantly, Høgh continued working even when opportunities were limited.
That kind of mentality can be invaluable in European football.
The warning Celtic cannot ignore
For all the positives, Sutton’s biggest warning should not be overlooked.
LASK had chances to score.
Celtic’s three-goal advantage gives them breathing room, but it does not mean the tie is over.
The return fixture in Austria could present an entirely different challenge, particularly if LASK score early.
O’Neill will therefore be demanding another disciplined performance from his players.
The encouraging part is that Celtic now appear capable of hurting opponents at the other end.
The attacking football under O’Neill has been one of the biggest developments of the early season, while performances such as those from Sinisalo and Donovan suggest the squad is developing confidence defensively.
There are still areas that require attention.
Left-back depth, another goalkeeper and additional quality in midfield would strengthen the squad further.
But after a 3-0 win against LASK, the mood around Parkhead is understandably positive.
Celtic have put themselves in an excellent position.
And if they can finish the job in Austria next Tuesday, O’Neill’s side could finally begin to look like a team capable of making a genuine impact in the Champions League.
As Sutton said, though, the tie is not over yet.
Nafisa
