Celtic's Season Begins with Mixed Emotions Ahead of LASK Clash
Celtic’s season is barely under way and already the mood music around Parkhead is split between relief, anxiety and that familiar European itch.
A narrow, grinding win over Dundee has put three points on the Premiership board and, as one supporter put it, “a head start on our two closest challengers”. Nobody’s throwing a parade for it. But in a league race that rarely forgives early slips, it matters.
The eyes, though, are already drifting to LASK and the looming Champions League play-off.
Win in the bank, worries in plain sight
The opener against Dundee did little to calm the nerves. Celtic got there, as they so often do domestically, by “carving out the win despite a poor performance by their standards,” as John M summed it up. Rust, new faces still feeling their way, rhythm missing. All understandable in August.
The problems were just as obvious. Alistair pointed straight at them: “weaknesses in the wide areas and at left-back were clear to see.” In Scotland, those flaws can be masked by sheer superiority and moments of individual quality. In Europe, they tend to get exposed under the brightest lights.
Supporters know it. They’ve seen this film before.
A tie that could define the tone of the season
LASK are no giants of the continent, but they are exactly the kind of well-drilled, awkward opponent that has caused Celtic so much trouble in early European rounds over the years. Kevin didn’t dodge that history: “Celtics record isn't spectacular in Europe early doors, this is mostly due to us playing the unknown and not being ready.”
That’s the fear. Not the name of the opponent, but Celtic’s readiness to meet them.
George, taking a harder line, sees a club walking into a play-off undercooked: “Given the lack of signings, preparation time with new players, and key players leaving, this Champions League play-off will be a very difficult tie to progress from.” His view of Monday night’s display was brutal: “awful”. His conclusion even more so — Celtic “will need to win by couple of goals at home” to have any real chance of going through, and on that evidence, he doesn’t see it.
That’s the darker side of the debate. The other side refuses to let go of the belief that this club, in this competition, can still find a way.
Firepower, urgency and a board on the clock
There is at least one clear source of optimism: goals. Celtic now have “a bit of firepower up front with two proven scorers in Europe in the past,” as John noted. In tight, nervy qualifiers, that kind of pedigree can tilt a tie.
Kevin is backing that attacking upgrade to make the difference: “Our two new forwards should help us, we just need a few more players in. Maybe this will wake the board up and push through a few more signings beforehand. I fancy us to go through though.”
That line about the board will resonate across the support. Reinforcements are not a luxury at this stage, they’re a demand. Alistair called them “essential”. Outgoings, as John M warned, “will have to be replaced with similar quality with that same urgency.” The message is blunt: Celtic cannot drift into a Champions League play-off understrength and then act surprised if it goes wrong.
Must-win mindset, with no hiding place
For all the tactical worries and transfer angst, there is clarity on one point: the attitude required. “We cannot go into this one with anything other than a must-win attitude,” John insisted. There is no sense of treating this as a free hit or a learning experience.
This tie will help set the narrative for the months ahead. Navigate LASK and Celtic not only secure a financial and sporting windfall, they also buy breathing space for a squad still taking shape. Fall short, and every missed signing, every soft goal, every sluggish performance will be dragged into the spotlight.
The league table says Celtic have started with a win. The supporters’ voices say the real judgment is coming in Europe. How ready will they be when LASK walk out under the lights?
