Celtic entered the Champions League play‑off with a 4‑0 demolition of Dundee United, but Martin O'Neill warned his side must tighten up before facing Austrian side LASK on Wednesday. The Hoops sit third in the Premiership with 67 points, boasting a recent five‑game winning streak (WWWWW) and a goal difference of +24 (59 scored, 35 conceded).\n\n## What did O'Neill say about the Dundee United win?\n\nO'Neill praised the attacking firepower, noting Kasper Høgh’s link‑up play and Daizen Maeda’s goal contributions. Yet he admitted moments of untidiness, recalling how United struck the bar five times. “We were comfortable but a bit untidy,” he said, stressing the need to clean up those lapses before the LASK clash.\n\n## Which players are in the frame for the upcoming match?\n\nThe manager highlighted recent debutants Mika Baur and Haissem Hassan, both of whom could feature against LASK. He also mentioned that Jota remains sidelined, limiting attacking options. O'Neill hinted at possible signings, targeting Blackburn’s Balázs Tóth and Hajduk Split midfielder Niko Šigut, while noting interest in Reo Hatate from Panathinaikos.\n\n## How does the upcoming fixture fit into Celtic's season objectives?\n\nBeyond the prestige of Champions League qualification, O'Neill stressed the financial stakes and the impact on the title race, where Celtic sit three points behind leaders Heart of Midlothian. The last league encounter ended 3‑1 to Celtic on 16 May 2026, underscoring the club’s ambition to close the gap.\n\n## What are the next steps before Wednesday?\n\nO'Neill confirmed the squad is set but left the door open for two more signings before Tuesday night. He cautioned about injury risks for new arrivals, especially those with limited training since the World Cup. With the LASK game looming, the manager promised a focused preparation to ensure the team is as ready as possible.
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O'Neill urges Celtic to tighten up before LASK showdown
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill outlines needed fixes and transfer targets ahead of the Champions League play‑off against LASK, after a 4‑0 win over Dundee United.
