Celtic are on the verge of a place in the UEFA Champions League proper after a resounding first leg success against LASK in their playoff tie but boss Martin O'Neill has warned the job is far from complete.
A goal from Benjamin Nygren and a stunning Camilo Duran double in Glasgow gave Celtic a 3-0 lead to take to Linz, but the Austrian champions showed more than enough attacking guile to leave Hoops fans feeling a bit nervous.
The evidence of the first leg suggests there will be plenty of goalscoring opportunities in Austria on Tuesday evening.
LASK v Celtic Tips Summary
Best Bet - Draw @ 27/10
Alternative Bet - Kasper Hogh anytime goalscorer @ 7/4
Bet Builder - Over 3 goals, Samuel Adeniran anytime goalscorer & Camilo Duran 2+ shots on target @ 13/2
LASK v Celtic Prediction
Best Bet: Draw @ 27/10
LASK may still be wondering just how they left Parkhead with a 3-0 reverse in the first leg. Dietmar Kuhbauer's side had a higher xG figure than Celtic, more shots at goal and more shots on target, but didn't find the net.
The Bhoys, for their part, found inspiration with three superb finishes from distance via Nygren and Duran to move to the brink of the league phase.
Post-game in Glasgow, O'Neill was at pains to stress the job is far from finished. Quite right too, given the amount of chances his side have been coughing up.
Before LASK, they were 4-0 winners at Dundee United in the League Cup in a contest where the Tangerines struck the woodwork no fewer than five times.
This is unlikely to be a procession, but Celtic showed under O'Neill's watch last season that they can dig in on the road in Europe, winning at Feyenoord and Stuttgart and drawing in Bologna.
Goals are expected in Linz and the visitors can get their share to earn a draw.
Alternative Bet: Kasper Hogh anytime goalscorer @ 7/4
Summer arrival Kasper Hogh failed to get on the scoresheet last week, but his physical presence and workrate were key to the Hoops' success.
Hogh should get chances here if Celtic can transition quickly from back to front.
He was a UEFA Champions League goalscorer against Manchester City and Atletico Madrid last season for Bodø/Glimt and this month's hat-trick at Kilmarnock showed his poacher's instincts.
Celtic scored three world-class goals in the first leg, but a close-range tap-in might prove just as effective in Austria and that promises to suit the Denmark international.
LASK v Celtic Bet Builder Tip
Over 3 goals
Samuel Adeniran anytime goalscorer
Camilo Duran 2+ shots on target
Pays 13/2
A high-scoring draw is distinctly possible here based on how the first leg in Glasgow played out and a correct score of 2-2 is priced at 12/1.
Celtic will know that getting amongst the goals is the surest way to protect their lead. The Hoops defence can be got at, with LASK having two goals ruled out for marginal offside calls in the first leg.
American striker Samuel Adeniran had one of those goals chalked off after a thunderous shot flew into the top corner from a wide angle.
Previous to that, he had scored four goals in three Austrian Bundesliga games and he can belatedly get his goal here.
Making the most of counter-attacking opportunities could be key for Celtic and wide man Duran will be vital given the pace and direct running he showed in the first leg.
He netted five UEFA Champions League goals for Qarabag last term and is capable of a couple of shots on target here.
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Key Match Stats
LASK recorded an xG figure of 1.58 in the first leg, having taken 20 shots and forced eight saves from Viljami Sinisalo in the Celtic goal
The Austrian champions have failed to win six of their previous seven home matches in European competition
Celtic won at Feyenoord and Stuttgart in the Europa League last season and drew 2-2 in Bologna
LASK went into the first leg unbeaten in 13 competitive games (W11, D2) and having scored 16 goals in four games
The Austrians have won just one of six previous games against opponents from Scotland (D2, L3)
Eight of Celtic's last nine European games have featured at least three goals
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
