Celtic have a Champions League goalscorer in Kasper Hogh Kasper Hogh, Celtic’s record signing, scored five Champions League goals for Bodo/Glimt last season. But it wasn’t just the goals the striker scored, it was who he scored against. He netted two against Manchester City, one against Atletico Madrid, one against Inter Milan and another against Sporting as the Norwegian side reached the last-16. He’s already hit the ground running with a first Celtic hat-trick against Kilmarnock. (Getty)Jamie Braidwood19 August 2026 19:42Who are LASK, Celtic’s opponents in Champions League play-offs? LASK managed what Hearts came very close to achieving last year and ended a long wait to win the Austrian Bundesliga title. The Linz outfit won just the second title in their history and first since 1965. In Austria, Red Bull Salzburg had won 10 titles in a row between 2014 and 2023 but there have been two different champions since, Sturm Graz and LASK last year. They have never played in the Champions League before and this will be their first meeting with Celtic. The Glasgow have only three of their 13 European matches against Austrian opponents but did beat Sturm Graz in last season’s Europa League.Dietmar Kuhbauer, Head Coach of LASK arrives at the stadium (Getty)Jamie Braidwood19 August 2026 19:29Celtic arrive on form after perfect start to season under Martin O’Neill The good news for Celtic is that they arrive into the Champions League play-offs have already started their season with three wins from three. Looking to carry on from last season’s excellent end to the season, Celtic have opened their campaign with victories over Dundee and Kilmarnock in the Premiership and a 4-0 at Dundee United in the League Cup on Sunday. Kasper Hogh scored a hat-trick against Kilmarnock (PA)Jamie Braidwood19 August 2026 19:17Celtic’s woeful Champions League play-off record The last two times Celtic have qualified for the Champions League (2023-24), (2024-25), it has been because they have gone straight through to the league phase. Celtic have failed to come through qualifying in their last five attempts, going back to a tie against Astana in 2017-18. Last season brought the dismal defeat on penalties to Kazakhstan side Kairat Almaty, which spelled the end for Brendan Rogers. It was an awful defeat, especially as Celtic had pushed Bayern Munich close in the knockout stage the previous season. Celtic captain Callum McGregor admits the current squad needs new recruits…
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2026-08-19 19:38:08
