Celtic is looking to move past the disappointment of last year's Champions League play-off defeat as they prepare to face LASK Linz on Wednesday. The match, set to kick off at 20:00 at Celtic Park, marks a significant moment for the club following a tumultuous season that began with a painful exit from the tournament.

Last Year's Heartbreak

One year ago, Celtic faced Kairat Almaty in a crucial Champions League play-off that ultimately shaped a chaotic campaign. The first leg ended in a goalless draw, with fans expressing their frustration through chants of "sack the board," a reflection of the club's lack of transfer activity. Following the match, then-manager Brendan Rodgers emphasized the need for squad improvements and urged his players to step up their efforts. However, a week later, Celtic suffered a humiliating defeat in Kazakhstan, losing in a penalty shoot-out and missing out on the financial benefits of Champions League qualification.

O'Neill's Return and New Signings

Fast forward ten months, and Martin O'Neill, who previously led Celtic to a league and cup double, is back at the helm. He acknowledges the disappointment of last season's failure to qualify for the Champions League, particularly after the team's success in reaching the knockout stage the previous year. O'Neill stated, "Of course it became a major disappointment not to qualify for the Champions League [last season]." He believes the players who remain at the club will be motivated to rectify last year's mistakes.

With the upcoming match against LASK, O'Neill has been bolstered by the arrival of two new attacking players, Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran, who each scored five goals in last season's Champions League. Both players have made strong starts since joining from Bodo/Glimt and Qarabag, respectively, and will be key to Celtic's hopes of advancing in the tournament.

As Celtic prepares for this pivotal clash, the team is determined to erase the memories of last year's setback and make a strong case for their Champions League ambitions.