Celtic vs Lask Linz

Celtic begin their Champions League play-off campaign against Austrian champions LASK Linz on Wednesday 19 August 2026. With a place in the group stage at stake, the first leg sees the Scottish champions aiming to take a lead into the return fixture, but they must cope without key right-back Alistair Johnston.

Team News and Injury Latest

Alistair Johnston is facing up to six weeks out after suffering an injury during the 5-1 win at Kilmarnock. Assistant manager Shaun Maloney initially described the withdrawal as precautionary, but the defender is now expected to miss the entire play-off and is absent from the 25-man UEFA squad list. New signings Haissem Hassan and Mika Baur are included, while Arne Engels is named despite ongoing transfer interest from West Ham United — the midfielder was undergoing a medical on the day of the squad announcement.

Martin O’Neill remains head coach, though Maloney oversaw preparations and the Kilmarnock fixture after O’Neill underwent a minor procedure in early August. Cameron Carter-Vickers has returned from an Achilles tendon injury and is part of the defensive core, while Jota has resumed partial training but is not yet in full-contact work.

LASK travel without long-term absentee Ramiz Harakate, who ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament in July. Moses Usor has recovered from meniscus issues and featured in both league matches. Head coach Dietmar Kühbauer is expected to keep a three-man central defence and build around Usor, Christoph Lang and Danek supporting Adeniran in attack.

Celtic Form Guide

Celtic have opened the domestic season with two wins from two. A 5-1 thrashing of Kilmarnock at Rugby Park was followed by a 1-0 home victory in the Premiership. A 4-0 League Cup away win further underlined their momentum. However, the memory of last season’s exit at the same stage — knocked out by Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty — will serve as a warning against complacency.

LASK Form Guide

LASK arrive on a run of seven consecutive Austrian Bundesliga victories, stretching back to the end of last term. The most recent was a 4-1 derby success against SV Ried, built on a rousing second-half display. Striker Christoph Lang, who scored his second goal in three games, believes “anything is possible” over the two legs. Kühbauer, however, is under no illusions. “Celtic are not comparable to Ried and they are a better team than us,” he said. “We need a balanced performance.”

Key Battle: Midfield Control

Without Johnston, Celtic’s right flank looks vulnerable, and LASK’s wide players Lang and Usor will look to exploit that space. The contest may hinge on whether Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate can dictate the tempo and insulate the backline. If Engels is distracted by a potential transfer, the responsibility on McGregor grows even heavier.

What the Coaches Said

“We’re excited and ready,” said Lang. “It would be the next step for us to make our mark on the European stage.” Kühbauer acknowledged the gulf in stature: “Just defending there wouldn’t be the best approach against Celtic. We need fit players who give it all from the first minute.” On the Celtic side, O’Neill’s touchline presence remains uncertain, but Maloney’s composed handling of the Kilmarnock match offers reassurance.

After Wednesday’s first leg, the tie concludes in Austria a week later. The winners advance to the Champions League group stage, and Celtic will be desperate to avoid a repeat of last summer’s heartbreak.