Celtic host Austrian champions LASK in Champions League play-off first leg

Celtic travel to Celtic Park on Wednesday for the first leg of the Champions League play-off against Austrian champions LASK, a match that will determine who reaches the tournament's group stage. LASK clinched the Austrian Bundesliga title this campaign, their second league triumph and first since 1965, and entered the tie after a 4-1 home win over Ried. The club is led by Dietmar Kühbauer, who returned to LASK after a stint at Wolfsberger AC and previously guided LASK to a league-cup double.

Their attacking threat centers on American forward Samuel Adeniran, who netted twice in the opening league game, and Nigerian winger Moses Usor, who scored 15 goals last season. The side also features United States international George Bello, who contributed the decisive goal in their recent cup final. While this will be LASK's inaugural visit to Celtic Park, they have prior Scottish experience from matches against Dundee United in 1984/85 and St Johnstone in 2021.