UEFA’s Champions League play-off draw delivered seven ties on Monday, but one clash stood out for its historic resonance: Celtic will face LASK in the first leg of their preliminary round.
Celtic face LASK in a tie with European pedigree
Celtic and LASK have been paired in the Champions League play-offs, a step that guarantees at least one Scottish club in the group stage for the first time since 2021. The Glasgow side, managed by Brendan Rodgers, must navigate a two-legged tie against the Austrian side to secure their place in the group stage. Rodgers’ side will host the first leg at Parkhead, a venue where Celtic have consistently delivered in European nights. LASK, meanwhile, arrive as Austrian Bundesliga runners-up, their first-place finish in Austria’s top flight marking their strongest domestic campaign in more than a decade. The tie offers both clubs a chance to write new chapters in their continental histories, with the winner set to join Europe’s elite in the group stage.
Six other play-off pairings set the stage for August drama
The draw also produced six additional ties that will shape the early rounds of the Champions League. Among them, Dinamo Zagreb will face a yet-to-be-confirmed opponent in the first leg, while Young Boys and Club Brugge will renew acquaintances in a repeat of last season’s qualifying clash. The remaining fixtures pit Braga against a seeded rival, Dynamo Kyiv against a top-half side, and two unseeded teams in a clash that could see one of them claim a rare spot in the group stage. Each tie carries the weight of a single-leg decider in the return fixture, where away goals no longer apply, turning every corner into a potential turning point.
What comes next for the clubs and the competition
For Celtic, progression would mean a return to the Champions League group stage after a year’s absence, a platform to showcase their attacking talent on a broader stage. LASK, meanwhile, have the chance to become the first Austrian side to reach the group stage since Red Bull Salzburg in 2020. The broader implications extend to seeding for the group stage draw, where finishing positions in domestic leagues and the play-offs will determine the pots for the August draw. With the group stage set to expand to 36 teams from 2024-25, the play-offs carry extra significance, offering clubs a foothold in a more competitive landscape. The ties will unfold over two legs in late August, with the first legs scheduled for August 20-21 and the returns on August 27-28.
The Champions League’s play-off round is no longer a formality; it is a crucible where clubs must prove their mettle before the group stage even begins. Celtic’s encounter with LASK is more than a preliminary skirmish—it is a statement of intent for Rodgers’ side and a chance for the Austrian underdogs to announce themselves on Europe’s biggest stage. The other six ties promise their own narratives, from the returning giants to the ambitious challengers, all vying for a place among the continent’s best. As the fixtures take shape, the stage is set for a fortnight of high-stakes football that will shape the early rhythm of the Champions League season.
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