Celtic are back in Champions League play-off action on Wednesday, this time against Austrian champions LASK Linz, with the first leg giving them another chance to move one step closer to the competition proper.
The tie comes with obvious context. Twelve months ago, Celtic were denied Champions League qualification by Kairat Almaty, a failure that still hangs over the club as they prepare for another two-legged test. One year ago, Celtic drew 0-0 in the first leg against Kairat Almaty before losing on penalties in Kazakhstan a week later.
Martin O'Neill, the 74-year-old two-time European Cup winner, said the result left a lasting mark on the club. “Of course it became a major disappointment not to qualify for the Champions League [last season],” he said.
Why the LASK Linz tie matters
O'Neill added that the frustration was even greater because Celtic had reached the knockout stage the previous year. “But I think based on what happened the previous year [reaching the knockout stage], it then became doubly disappointing not to make it,” he said.
That sense of unfinished business is part of what makes this tie significant. Celtic are not just trying to get past LASK Linz; they are also trying to avoid a repeat of last season’s early exit and secure a place in the Champions League proper.
O'Neill also suggested the players still at the club will remember what happened and understand the opportunity in front of them. “Overall I think that the players who are still here at the football club, they may well remember [last year], they may well think that they’ve got something to do to try and achieve this time,” he said.
In the months after last season’s defeat, Brendan Rodgers described the squad as having “too many Honda Civics and not enough Ferraris,” while also saying players need to “run for the bus if you are going to miss it.” Those comments captured the scale of the rebuild and the standard Celtic have been trying to raise.
Now the focus shifts to the pitch again. LASK Linz stand between Celtic and the next stage of the Champions League route, and the first leg on Wednesday will set the tone for the tie.
