What a difference a year makes at Celtic | OneFootball

Who would have thought that signing quality players would produce significant results, like the one on Wednesday night against a very decent opponent?

This time last year we were facing a daunting, and gruelling trip to Kazakhstan with our Champions League aspirations very much on the line.

Having flopped at home against minnows Kairat Almaty, we made the long journey, and were ultimately made to pay as the Kazakh side beat us on spot kicks to kill off our Champions League aspirations, and confine us to the Europa League.

The only ‘new’ additions to Brendan Rodgers pool of players for those two games were the returning Kieran Tierney (who had signed a pre-contract months earlier) with Shin Yamada, loan signing Jahmai Simpson Pusey, and Callum Osmand the other new recruits, but were very much seen as bench players at the most.

Temirlan Anarbekov of Kairat clutches the ba during the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round First Leg match between Celtic and Kairat Almaty at Celtic Park on August 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

That failure to add any real quality to our side was the biggest factor for our failure not just in Europe, but the following few months to follow. Something that resulted in Brendan Rodgers deciding enough was enough, which culminated in the Irishman handing in his notice.

Fast forward a full year, and the picture looks completely different.

Camilo Duran of Celtic during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 play-offs first leg match between Celtic and LASK at Celtic Park on August 19, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Our opponents in the first leg of the Champions League play offs LASK, are a much more formidable side than Kairat, that’s for sure.

9th August 2026; Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, Scotland: Scottish Premiership Football, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Kasper Hogh of Celtic celebrate with the match ball after his hat trick. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou

We beat them comfortably, and have a more than decent chance of qualifying come the second leg on Tuesday night.

The reason? Well it’s simple enough. We invested heavily in our playing squad, and not just with squad fillers, but with players of proven quality.

Celtic’s new signing Mika Baur poses in full Celtic home kit. Celtic Training and press conference, photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/ Shutterstock

£11 million man Kasper Hogh, and £6 million Camilo Duran both started the game, as did £6 million signing Miko Baur.

Colombian Duran proved to be the catalyst with two superbly taking goals, and put in a terrific all round performance as we disposed of the Austrian Champions to put one foot in the Champions League group stages.

Camilo Duran of Celtic scores his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 play-offs first leg match between Celtic and LASK at Celtic Park on August 19, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

If we are successful in finishing the task come Tuesday evening, it will guarantee the club a bumper £40 million payday.

Who’d have thought that signing quality would churn out such success?

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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