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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Mark Hendry

How Martin O'Neill will create Celtic Champions League history with LASK KO

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill during a training session at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Monday August 24, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no (Image: Andrew Milligan)

Martin O'Neill has the opportunity to create Champions League history this week with Celtic.

The Northern Irishman is 90 minutes away from guiding his side to the League Phase of the competition following their impressive 3-0 victory over LASK in the first-leg of the playoff last week.

The Austrian champions will hope to play spoiler on the day in Linz but O'Neill knows the hefty lead his side already has racked up cannot allow complacency in the second-leg.

Victory and qualification will be enough of an incentive for O'Neill but there is some history to be made for the 74-year-old who last managed the Hoops in the tournament back in 2004 in a goalless draw with AC Milan.

O'Neill will become the manager with the longest gap between group stage games - 22 years - trumping the closest to him, former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes by a whopping eight years.

"I would love to do it," O'Neill said after his side had defeated LASK 3-0 in last week’s first leg. "But honestly... Tuesday... I wish it would never come."

O'Neill has had decisions to make ahead of the tie this week with Auston Trusty missing training and Alistair Johnston ruled out.

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