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Celtic’s Champions League opponents LASK have taken a similar step to the Hoops in preparation for the crunch tie. Celtic have already postponed their Premiership trip to St Johnstone, which had been scheduled for August 22 – between the two legs of their Champions League play-off. Now LASK have followed suit. Via Austrian outlet Laola1, the Bundesliga side requested the postponement of their away league fixture against RC Pellets WAC, also known as Wolfsberger, on the same date. The request has been approved, leaving both clubs free to focus entirely on securing a place in the Champions League group stage. It underlines the importance of the tie for both sides. There is no disguising what is on the line. Qualification for the Champions League proper would bring a financial boost worth around £40 million, alongside the prestige of returning to Europe’s top competition. Celtic host the first leg at Celtic Park on Wednesday, August 19, with an 8pm kick-off. The return leg takes place six days later on Tuesday, August 25, at the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz, with kick-off also set for 8pm Celtic Park time. Both clubs now have uninterrupted preparation for those decisive nights. For Celtic, attention will also turn to UEFA’s registration deadlines. The club has until 10.59pm on Thursday, August 13, to submit its main 25-man squad for the play-off. UEFA regulations then allow two additional eligible players to be registered by 10.59pm on August 18, the evening before the first leg. That leaves a narrow window for any late transfer business to be completed if those players are to feature. The squad is taking shape, but there is still a feeling among supporters that key areas require strengthening before the window closes. A Champions League play-off is no place for unnecessary risks, particularly when the margins can be so fine over 180 minutes. The decision by both Celtic and LASK to clear their domestic schedules reflects that reality. League points can be recovered over the course of a season. A missed opportunity to reach the Champions League cannot. Everything over the next few weeks will be geared towards those two matches. Celtic know exactly what is at stake, and so do LASK. Both clubs have ensured there will be no distractions as they prepare for a tie that will define the opening months of the campaign.