Celtic can complete an incredible 2026 European double in Linz
Celtic tomorrow evening will be aiming to win in Austria for the first ever time in European competition. In our last European match earlier this year Martin O’Neill led Celtic to our first ever win in Germany. What a fantastic European double this could be…
Celtic are heading to Linz today to take on LASK in the second leg of the Champions League play off clash aiming to do something they’ve never done before, and that would be to win a competitive game in Austria.
Celtic has visited the Eastern Alps nation on six occasions since their first competitive appearance back in November 1977 when they traveled to Innsbruck to take on Wacker, in the European Cup, taking with them a 1-0 from the first leg in Glasgow.
Jock Stein’s fading Celtic side however, were ultimately humbled 3-0, meaning they crashed out of the competition, making our first trip to Austria one to forget.
Seven years later the hoops made their second trip to Austria, this time to visit the capital Vienna, and it was yet again one of disappointment, as Davie Hay’s side crashed to a 3-1 defeat. The least said about the return leg in Glasgow, and the ‘replay’ in Manchester the better.
13 years later, Wim Jansen’s side headed to Innsbruck, only this time it was to face the then recently formed Tirol. And yet again it ended in disappointment as we crashed to a 2-1 defeat, although we won a dramatic second leg in Glasgow 6-3 to advance 7-5 on aggregate.
12 years later it was another trip to Vienna to face Rapid Wien in the newly formed Europa League group stage, and despite failing to win, it was a memorable game as Tony Mowbray’s side battled back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3.
The next decade seen the hoops travel to Austria twice on Europa League duty, both times to Salzburg to face Red Bull Salzburg.
Firstly Ronny Deila’s side drew 2-2 with the Austrian giants at the Red Bull Arena back in 2014, and then four years later, Brendan Rodgers side were defeated 2-1 at the same venue.
That’s six competitive trips to the Eastern Alps without a win for our troubles.
A win isn’t required tomorrow night, as anything under a three goal defeat or draw would suffice. But we want to win in a bid to break that Austrian Hoodoo. Will it be seventh time lucky?
Celtic had never won a competitive match Germany until earlier this year when Luke McCowan’s early goal was enough to give Celtic a consolation victory in the Europa League playoff round. Still it was a landmark victory for the Hoops and tomorrow we can tick Austria off the list of European nations we’ve never won in.
Neil Lennon’s Celtic side took Lazio of the list a few years ago now and but it would be his old Celtic gaffer who will be able to claim victories on German and Austrian soil tomorrow night if the Hoops can once again get the better of Austrian Champions LASK.
The much bigger prize is European progress into the Champions League but this win would be a nice little bonus for the reason mentioned above but also for the co-efficient points impact it will have on our nearest and fiercest rivals back home in domestic football.
