What Do Celtic Need Against LASK to Qualify?
Celtic are 90 minutes away from the Champions League league phase after beating LASK 3-0 at Celtic Park. Martin O’Neill’s side can even afford a two-goal defeat in Austria, while readers looking at the betting markets can find a fuller breakdown in our LASK vs Celtic prediction and odds.
What do Celtic need against LASK?
Celtic begin the second leg with a 3-0 aggregate advantage. UEFA decides two-legged play-off ties by total goals scored across both matches, with no away-goals rule.
| LASK vs Celtic result | What happens to Celtic? |
|---|---|
| Celtic win | Qualify |
| Draw | Qualify |
| Celtic lose by 1 goal | Qualify |
| Celtic lose by 2 goals | Qualify |
| Celtic lose by exactly 3 goals | Extra time |
| Celtic lose by 4+ goals | Eliminated |
The key point: Celtic can lose by two goals and still reach the Champions League league phase.
A three-goal LASK win — whether 3-0, 4-1 or 5-2 — would leave the aggregate score level. UEFA regulations then require two 15-minute periods of extra time, followed by penalties if the aggregate score remains tied.
LASK vs Celtic kick-off time and TV channel
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | LASK vs Celtic |
| Competition | UEFA Champions League play-off |
| Date | Tuesday 25 August 2026 |
| Kick-off | 20:00 BST |
| Local kick-off | 21:00 |
| Venue | Raiffeisen Arena, Linz |
| First leg | Celtic 3-0 LASK |
| UK coverage | TNT Sports / HBO Max |
TNT Sports lists the second leg for 20:00 UK time, while its Champions League coverage confirms the qualifying fixtures are available through TNT Sports and HBO Max. The winner of the tie enters the 36-team Champions League league phase. The losing club does not leave Europe: it drops directly into the Europa League league phase.
LASK vs Celtic betting markets
The aggregate score creates an unusual betting situation. LASK must chase goals, whereas Celtic do not actually need to win the match.
Why Celtic cannot switch off
The 3-0 first-leg score was comfortable, but the match itself was less one-sided. LASK produced 20 shots to Celtic’s 17, had eight attempts on target and saw two goals disallowed. Celtic simply punished their chances far more efficiently.
Camilo Durán was the standout, scoring twice after Benjamin Nygren’s opener.
Martin O’Neill nevertheless kept the message measured:
We have given ourselves a chance.”
That is the sensible way to view the return leg. Celtic have an excellent position, but an early LASK goal would immediately change the atmosphere in Linz.
What if Celtic are knocked out?
