Celtic Champions League tie can 'make or break' season as draw ramps up pressure
· Ryan McDonald · 2026-08-04 · nguồn gốc
Celtic Champions League showdown can 'make or break' season as LASK draw adds more pressure
Martin O'Neill's men have been drawn to face Austrians LASK in the £40m winner-takes-all showdown
John Collins reckons Celtic’s Champions League powderkeg with LASK can make or break their entire season.
The Hoops have been handed a £40million winner-takes-all showdown against the Austrian champs in the play-off round.
And after seeing the brutal backlash that followed last term's humiliating exit to Kairat Almaty, Collins knows there is no room for failure this time around.
He said: “Yes. From the fans’ point of view, it makes or breaks the positivity. Every Celtic fan, all they’re talking about is the Champions League. There’s no atmosphere like it, nothing comes close to it.
“That’s what the fans want. Once you’ve had a taste of it and you don’t get it, you feel like you’ve lost something. The board knows that, the players know that, so you really have got to get the players and the team in order to achieve that.
“Let’s be realistic, it’s not a tough opponent, they’re not playing against a bad PSG, this is a game they should be winning. But no disrespect, I’ve never seen the opposition, I wouldn’t imagine they are a great European team to be feared.
“But they’ll be efficient, they’ll be organised, they’ll be fit and they’ll have one or two good players.
“But that’s all the more pressure on Celtic to win it. The expectation is, who’s this team from Austria? But they need to try and get some players in.”
Collins has been surprised by Celtic’s slow-moving transfer window - with major surgery still required before the two-legged blockbuster.
He said: “I’d like to see another couple of dynamic midfield players to add to the group. I’d like to see another winger that can beat players, get to the byeline.
“Of course, you’ve got Jota coming back. Will he ever be the same again? Big question mark. They’ve got him in the background but I think they need another winger.
“James Forrest has been a great servant. He looks lively so he could still be a 30 minute player in the SPFL but I’d like to see another quality winger that can lift and light up the stadium.
“He’s got a bit of pace, he can get to the byeline, take on a full back. It’s hard to find in Celtic’s budget but that’s the challenge, you’re looking for these type of players.”
Parkhead chiefs could accelerate their recruitment drive if big-money exits are sealed for Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels.
Everton are pushing for Canada international Johnston, while West Ham remain locked in talks over a move for midfielder Engels.
Collins said: “I’d be very surprised if Celtic hadn’t planned on losing them and been scouting both positions over the last year.
“I’ve certainly thought Johnston would be going to England in the last couple of seasons. I’ve been surprised that English teams haven’t come in.
“No disrespect to Engels, but I think if he can get £20m, it would be a great bit of business for Celtic.
“But again you’ve got to replace him. He’s energetic, he’s got legs so you need to find a like for like replacement.”
While Celtic scour the globe for reinforcements, Collins fears there is a shortage of talent in Scotland.
Hibs midfielder Miguel Chaiwa has been linked with a move to Parkhead.
But Collins said: “Is there anyone who would make Celtic better in Scotland? I’m not so sure if I’d take any of these guys at this moment in time.
“Chaiwa? Physically he’s very good, technically I’m not sure he’s good enough to play for Celtic. He’s got to tidy up his technical side of his game in my opinion before he can talk about being a Celtic player.”
Collins reckons Martin O’Neill missed a trick by not making a move for ex-Motherwell sensation Elijah Just.
He added: "I would have taken him, he would've been my first signing for Celtic. He ticked a lot of boxes for me. I said that in January he's a player I really like watching. In my opinion, he would have improved Celtic."
*John Collins was promoting Premier Sports’ coverage of Scottish football including over 80 matches from the Scottish Premiership, Premier Sports Cup and Scottish Cup. Fans can watch an entire season of football for only £99 using promo code FITBA26.