Celtic v LASK: Team news, referee details, KO time & where to watch | OneFootball

Celtic face LASK in the UEFA Champions League Play-off on this evening as Martin O’Neill eyes one final crack at the Champions League before he calls time on his managerial career…

Celtic head Coach Martin O’Neill looks o during the William Hill Premiership 2026/27 match between Celtic and Dundee at Celtic Park on August 03, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The Scottish Champions are looking to rectify their bruising exit against Kairat at this stage last season by qualifying for the most prestigious competition in football.

Martin O’Neill has a history of success in European football at Celtic and he will be eager to extend that with a further crack at Europe’s top competition. Celtic have scored ten goals in their first three games this season, with a couple of impressive away victories chalking up a 5-1 win against Kilmarnock before a 4-0 win away at Dundee United in the Premier Sports Cup.

Celtic Team News

Celtic go into the game with a number of notable absences. Alistair Johnston is out injured after picking up another muscle strain in the match against Kilmarnock. That injury looks certain to keep the Canadian right back sidelined until November.

9th August 2026; Rugby Park, Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Alistair Johnston of Celtic on the ball. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou

Arne Engels moved onto West Ham at the weekend after telling the club that he did not wish to participate in the Champions League playoff matches incase he picked up a n injury himself.  Celtic had until 11pm last night to add to the squad for these two playoff matches against LASK but no new arrivals were forthcoming. So that means Martin O’Neill will go with the squad that won so convincing at the weekend up at Tannadice against Dundee United.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is suspended for three matches so will miss both legs of the Champions League playoff and the next one after that, whether it’s in the Champions League or the Europa League (heaven forbid).

Predicted Celtic Team (4-2-3-1

Vil Sinisalo will start in goals. Celtic have been looking at a back four of Colby Donovan standing in for AJ at right back, a central defence pairing of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty and Kieran Tierney back at left back after being rested for the win at Tannadice.

Celtic will have both Callum McGregor and new signing Mika Baur sitting with ahead a progressive three of Camilo Duran, Benjamin Nygren and Sebastian Tounekti with Kasper Hogh playing through the middle as the Celtic 9.

9th August 2026; Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, Scotland: Scottish Premiership Football, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Kasper Hogh of Celtic celebrates after he shoots and scores to make it 2-0 in the 33rd minute. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou

Predicted Celtic Team

Predicted Celtic XI: Sinisalo: Donovan, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Tierney, ; McGregor, Baur, Nygren; Tounetki, Hogh, Duran.

Subs: Doohan; Scales, Murray, Ralston, McCowan, Hatate, Hassan, Yang, Osmand, Kenny and Forrest.

The Celtic Huddle at Tannadice. Dundee Utd v Celtic, Premier Sports Cup, Saturday 15 August. Tannadice. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou

Match Officials

The game will be officiated by Swiss referee Sandro Scharer. The 38-year-old will be assisted by compatriots Stephane De Almeida and Jonas Erni. Meanwhile, Fedayi San is on VAR duties with Lukas Fahndrich assisting.

Celtic fans may recall Scharer as taking charge of the defeat against Real Madrid in 2022. He has taken charge of three Celtic games – qualification draws against FC Midtjylland and Rosenborg.

Kick Off Time

The game kicks off at 8pm (Celtic Park Time).

Where to Watch

Celtic supporters at Paradise last night. 3rd August 2026; Celtic Park, Scottish Premiership, Celtic versus Dundee; Celtic fans David Young IMAGO/ Action Plus

The game will be shown on TNT Sports 1 to subscribers. TNT subscribers will also be able to catch the action online at HBO Max. Celtic Player subscribers in Britain and Ireland will be able to access live audio commentary of the clash. Meanwhile subscribers to Celtic player based outside of the Britain and Ireland you will be able to watch the club’s service as normal.

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