LASK manager Dietmar Kühbauer is preparing his side for a response against Celtic after their Champions League play-off first-leg defeat at Celtic Park, with the Austrian champions already looking towards the return fixture in Linz.
The headline claim that Kühbauer has called for a rematch just 20 hours after the defeat should be treated carefully: the two-leg tie was already scheduled to conclude in Austria on 25 August. LASK’s official fixture list confirms the return leg at the Oberösterreich Arena, giving Kühbauer and his players a clear opportunity to respond.
Rather than allowing the result to derail what has been an outstanding period for the club, Kühbauer is expected to demand a reaction from his squad when the sides meet again.
Kühbauer has already shown his belief
Kühbauer entered the Celtic tie with considerable credit after transforming LASK’s fortunes last season.
The 55-year-old returned to the club in October 2025 when LASK were struggling near the bottom of the Austrian Bundesliga. He subsequently guided the team to a remarkable domestic double, completing one of the biggest turnarounds in the club’s recent history.
That success has continued into the new campaign.
Before travelling to Glasgow, LASK had won their opening three Austrian Bundesliga matches, including a 3–0 victory over GAK and a 2–0 away win against Austria Vienna. They then defeated Ried 4–1 after initially falling behind, taking their league record to three wins from three.
The victory over Ried was particularly significant because it demonstrated the mentality Kühbauer has built within the squad. LASK conceded early but responded with four goals, with Samuel Adeniran scoring twice and Moses Usor and Christoph Lang also finding the net.
The return leg changes everything
Whatever happened in Glasgow, LASK still have the advantage of knowing exactly where the second leg will be played.
The return fixture is scheduled for 25 August at the Oberösterreich Arena in Linz.
That should give Kühbauer an opportunity to make tactical adjustments and put greater emphasis on the attacking qualities that helped LASK dominate Austrian football last season.
LASK have also demonstrated that they are not a side that collapses easily after conceding the first goal. Their comeback against Ried was another example of their ability to remain composed and respond under pressure.
For Celtic, that is an important warning.
Martin O’Neill’s side may have entered the tie as favourites, but LASK’s domestic form has made it clear that they cannot afford to become complacent.
Nine-word message reflects the mentality
The headline’s reported nine-word message to the squad and supporters captures the kind of mentality Kühbauer has consistently demanded from his players: the tie is not finished until the final whistle of the second leg.
However, no reliable source currently confirms the exact nine-word quotation claimed in the headline, so it would be misleading to present a fabricated quote as something Kühbauer actually said.
What is confirmed is that Kühbauer has repeatedly demanded improvement even when LASK were winning.
After the 2–0 victory over Austria Vienna earlier this month, he insisted that his team could and had to perform better.
That attitude could prove important against Celtic.
LASK have plenty of attacking weapons
One of the biggest reasons Celtic must remain alert is LASK’s attacking form.
The Austrian champions had scored nine goals in their first three league matches before travelling to Glasgow, while conceding only once. Samuel Adeniran had already established himself as a major threat, while Moses Usor and Christoph Lang also provided significant attacking quality.
Adeniran’s form is particularly encouraging for Kühbauer.
His two goals against Ried demonstrated his ability to punish defensive mistakes, while Lang has also shown that he can make an impact from the bench.
That attacking depth means LASK should not need to abandon their football simply because they are facing a club with Celtic’s European pedigree.
Celtic remain favourites, but the tie is not over
Celtic went into the play-off as the more experienced European club, and LASK themselves acknowledged that before the first meeting.
The Austrian club’s official announcement described Celtic as a highly traditional Scottish side and recognised the Hoops as favourites because of their domestic dominance and European history.
But Kühbauer also made clear that LASK intended to give themselves a chance over the two matches.
That confidence is understandable.
LASK are the reigning Austrian double winners, have started the new campaign perfectly domestically and are now seeking to reach the Champions League league phase for the first time in their history.
For a club that has spent much of the last year rebuilding its reputation, the return leg represents another major test.
Celtic fans should expect a different LASK
From a Celtic perspective, the biggest danger is assuming that the tie has already been decided.
LASK have the opportunity to analyse what happened in Glasgow, identify weaknesses and make changes before the return meeting.
Kühbauer has already demonstrated that he is not afraid to demand more from his players. His LASK team is organised, physically competitive and capable of scoring goals in bunches.
The Austrian champions also have the psychological benefit of playing the second leg in front of their home supporters.
That could create a very different atmosphere from Celtic Park.
For Martin O’Neill and Celtic, the task will therefore be to manage the tie intelligently rather than simply rely on their reputation.
A defining night awaits in Linz
LASK’s remarkable rise under Kühbauer means this Champions League play-off is more than just another European fixture.
The manager returned to a struggling club and helped turn it into Austrian champions and cup winners. He has now signed a contract extension keeping him at LASK until 2029, underlining the club’s confidence in his leadership.
The first-leg result may have changed the pressure surrounding the tie, but it has not changed LASK’s opportunity.
The return fixture in Linz will give Kühbauer and his players one final chance to prove that their domestic success can translate onto the biggest European stage.
And if the LASK boss can get the reaction he demands, Celtic may discover that the Austrian champions are far from finished.
