Martin O’Neill praised Camilo Duran’s "world-class performance" after the Colombian's double helped Celtic to a 3-0 Champions League play-off win over LASK.
Duran's two superb strikes at Celtic Park, along with Benjamin Nygren's goal, put the club in a strong position ahead of the second leg in Austria.
O’Neill was full of admiration for the summer signing. He said: "He is a brilliant player and an absolutely brilliant footballer.
"I am not saying at this minute he is a world-class player, but that was a world-class performance by him in every sense."
The Celtic manager was impressed by Duran’s all-round contribution, praising the attacker's defensive work. "Not only the goals he scored and taking people on, but getting back," O'Neill added.
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"If I was playing full-back, I would be delighted to have him in front of me because he would be doing my job for me."
Duran’s double took his Celtic tally to three goals, with the 3-0 victory putting the Premiership champions within touching distance of a Champions League return.
But O’Neill warned there is still work to do against what he described as a "really good side". "It was a great result for us tonight, but there is a long way to go," he said.
Celtic will face LASK in the return leg next week, aiming to secure their place in the League Phase.
