Celtic take control against LASK as Haitham Hassan makes second appearance

Celtic took a significant step towards the next stage of the Champions League with a 3-0 win over Austrian side LASK in the first leg of their preliminary-round tie.

Benjamin Nygren opened the scoring for the Scottish champions after 26 minutes, striking powerfully from outside the penalty area to give the home side the lead.

Celtic doubled their advantage before half-time when Camilo Duran found the net with a fierce left-footed effort in the 38th minute. The hosts went into the interval 2-0 ahead and remained in control after the break.

Duran completed the scoring in the 67th minute, finishing with another powerful shot, this time from inside the penalty area, to give Celtic a commanding advantage before the second leg.

The return fixture will be played next Tuesday at 22:00 at LASK’s stadium in Austria.

Haitham Hassan came on as a substitute in the 83rd minute, making his second appearance for Celtic since joining the club. His first outing came against Dundee United in the second round of the Scottish Cup.

Hassan played 19 minutes in that match, which Celtic won 4-0.

The Egypt-born player joined Celtic from Spanish club Real Oviedo during the summer transfer window. He signed a four-year contract with the Scottish champions that runs until the summer of 2030.

Celtic are entering the Champions League qualifying campaign as holders of the Scottish league title. They secured the championship after a closely fought contest with Hearts that went down to the final round of the competition.

The remaining places in the Champions League league phase will be decided by next week’s second-leg matches in the preliminary rounds. Celtic’s three-goal lead gives them a strong position ahead of their trip to Austria, although qualification will be confirmed only after the return fixture.

The draw for the Champions League will take place on Thursday, 27 August at 18:00, once all of the clubs progressing through the preliminary rounds have been confirmed.

Celtic’s victory also provided a positive European start for Hassan, who is beginning his first campaign with the Scottish champions after moving from Real Oviedo. The 83rd-minute appearance was his second in the club’s colours, while Duran’s two goals and Nygren’s opener ensured Celtic established a clear advantage in the tie.