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<\/p>\nCeltic have one foot in the Champions League league phase, but the job is not finished \u2014 and the return leg in Austria could demand a different kind of performance from Martin O\u2019Neill\u2019s side.<\/p>\n
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Celtic\u2019s 3\u20130 victory over LASK at Celtic Park has transformed the Champions League play-off tie, but it has also created an interesting tactical challenge for Martin O\u2019Neill and his players. The Scottish champions produced an emphatic scoreline, yet the match itself was far more competitive than the final result suggested.<\/p>\n
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Benjamin Nygren opened the scoring before Camilo Dur\u00e1n struck twice, giving Celtic a huge advantage heading into the second leg in Linz. LASK, however, had two goals ruled out for offside and created several other opportunities, demonstrating that the Austrian champions are capable of causing Celtic problems if they are given space and encouragement.<\/p>\n
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That is why the biggest question surrounding Celtic now is not simply whether they can protect a three-goal advantage.<\/p>\n
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It is how they protect it.<\/p>\n
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The temptation could be to sit deep, absorb pressure and simply attempt to survive. But that could be exactly the approach Celtic need to avoid.<\/p>\n
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Instead, the blueprint should be built around control, discipline, intelligent pressing and the ability to punish LASK whenever they commit bodies forward.<\/p>\n
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And that is where this Celtic side has the tools to make the difference.<\/p>\n
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The 3\u20130 advantage changes everything<\/p>\n
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Celtic could hardly have asked for a better first-leg result.<\/p>\n
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Three goals without conceding means LASK now have an enormous mountain to climb. The Austrian side must score at least three times in the return leg just to take the tie level, while Celtic know that even one goal could make the task considerably harder for their opponents.<\/p>\n
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But there is an important tactical warning hidden inside the scoreline.<\/p>\n
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LASK were not completely outplayed.<\/p>\n
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They had opportunities.<\/p>\n
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They tested Celtic\u2019s defensive structure and had two goals disallowed. Sky Sports’ match report highlighted how LASK threatened early, with Moses Usor and Samuel Adeniran both getting into dangerous positions.<\/p>\n
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That means Celtic cannot afford to treat the second leg as a formality.<\/p>\n
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The three-goal cushion is enormous, but complacency could give LASK the encouragement they desperately need.<\/p>\n
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The first 15 or 20 minutes could therefore be crucial.<\/p>\n
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Celtic’s objective should be to make the match feel difficult for LASK immediately.<\/p>\n
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Not necessarily through reckless attacking, but through intelligent possession and aggressive positioning.<\/p>\n
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If Celtic can keep the ball, force LASK to chase and prevent the hosts from building sustained momentum, the pressure will gradually move onto the Austrian side.<\/p>\n
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That is the first part of the blueprint.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n CONTROL THE TEMPO<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Perhaps the most important tactical instruction for Celtic should be simple:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Control the tempo.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There is no reason for O\u2019Neill\u2019s side to turn the second leg into a frantic end-to-end contest.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n LASK need goals.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Celtic do not.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That fundamental difference should shape the entire match.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If LASK attempt to start aggressively, Celtic can use their possession game to slow things down. They can move the ball from side to side, draw the Austrian players out and then attack the spaces that appear behind them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The key is patience.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Celtic do not have to score early.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They do not even necessarily have to dominate every minute.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They simply need to prevent LASK from building the sort of momentum that could make the tie uncomfortable.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The longer the match stays under Celtic’s control, the more pressure LASK will feel.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And pressure can create mistakes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n —<\/p>\n <\/p>\n THE ATTACKING THREAT IS CELTIC’S BIGGEST WEAPON<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There is another reason Celtic should not simply retreat.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Their attacking players are in excellent form.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Camilo Dur\u00e1n was the headline performer in the first leg, scoring twice in an outstanding display. His second goal came after a combination with Kasper H\u00f8gh, while Benjamin Nygren also got on the scoresheet with a superb finish.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That attacking chemistry could become Celtic’s biggest weapon in Austria.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n LASK have no choice but to attack.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And when they attack, spaces will appear.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That gives Celtic the opportunity to counter.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Imagine LASK pushing their full-backs forward and committing midfielders into Celtic territory. A quick recovery of possession could immediately put Dur\u00e1n, H\u00f8gh, Nygren and the supporting players into dangerous positions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Suddenly, the team that needs three goals could find itself vulnerable at the back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That is why Celtic should not abandon their attacking identity.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The blueprint should not be:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDefend for 90 minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It should be:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDefend intelligently, possess the ball and attack whenever LASK give us the opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There is a major difference.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n —<\/p>\n <\/p>\n DUR\u00c1N HAS ALREADY CHANGED THE EQUATION<\/p>\n <\/p>\n One of the most exciting developments for Celtic has been the immediate impact of Dur\u00e1n.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The summer signing did not simply score twice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He gave LASK something else to worry about.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n His movement, physicality, finishing ability and willingness to work for the team make him particularly useful in a second-leg situation where Celtic can expect LASK to take risks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Colombian has already demonstrated that he can punish defensive mistakes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n His two goals in the first leg were different but equally important. His first showed his ability to strike from distance, while his second demonstrated his combination play and composure inside the box.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That versatility could be crucial.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If LASK push high, Dur\u00e1n can run behind.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If they defend deeper, he can occupy defenders and bring teammates into play.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If Celtic win possession quickly, he can become the first attacking outlet.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That makes him more than simply a goalscorer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He becomes part of the tactical solution.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n —<\/p>\n <\/p>\n NYGREN COULD BE JUST AS IMPORTANT<\/p>\n <\/p>\n While Dur\u00e1n received most of the attention after the first leg, Nygren’s contribution should not be overlooked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n His opening goal settled Celtic after a difficult start and gave the team the platform to grow into the game.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n His ability to operate between the lines and combine with the forwards gives Celtic another route through the LASK defence.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The third goal demonstrated that relationship perfectly, with Nygren involved in the move that eventually allowed Dur\u00e1n to finish.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the return leg, Nygren could be particularly valuable because Celtic may not have as much possession in the attacking third.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When chances are limited, players capable of making something happen with one touch or one intelligent pass become extremely important.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That is exactly where Nygren can influence the game.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n —<\/p>\n <\/p>\n CELTIC MUST RESPECT LASK’S EARLY PRESSURE<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If there is one major lesson from the first leg, it is that LASK are capable of creating danger.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Celtic were fortunate to see an early goal ruled out for offside, while another LASK effort was also disallowed later in the match. The visitors also created further chances that required Celtic goalkeeper Kieran Sinisalo to intervene.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That should serve as a warning.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The return leg could begin with LASK throwing everything forward.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They have no other choice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Their supporters will expect an aggressive start, and the players will know that an early goal could completely change the atmosphere inside the stadium.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Celtic therefore need to survive that opening period without losing their heads.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The worst possible scenario would be conceding an early goal and allowing LASK to believe that a comeback is realistic.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Instead, Celtic need to stay compact.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The midfield must remain connected to the defence.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The full-backs must be aware of runners.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And the forwards must be willing to press when the opportunity presents itself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n —<\/p>\n <\/p>\n THE MIDFIELD BATTLE COULD DECIDE THE TIE<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This could be where the second leg is won.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Celtic need their midfield to prevent LASK from playing at maximum speed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The midfielders do not necessarily need to dominate possession from the first minute.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They need to dominate the important spaces.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That means stopping LASK from receiving comfortably between the lines and preventing easy passes into the attacking players.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If Celtic can force LASK into sideways passes and long balls, the pressure on the defence becomes much easier to manage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But if Celtic allow LASK’s midfielders to turn and face forward repeatedly, the game could become much more dangerous.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The midfield therefore needs discipline above everything else.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There will be moments when Celtic have to defend.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There will be moments when they need to slow the game.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There will also be moments when they need to accelerate it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Recognising which moment is which could be the difference between a comfortable night and a nervous one.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n —<\/p>\n <\/p>\n KIERAN TIERNEY’S ROLE COULD BE HUGE<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Another feature of the first leg was Celtic’s ability to create danger from the left.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tierney’s delivery played an important role in Celtic’s attacking moves, including the build-up to Nygren’s opener and Dur\u00e1n’s first goal.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That provides Celtic with another tactical advantage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n LASK cannot simply focus on defending centrally.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If Celtic move the ball quickly towards the left and create two-versus-one situations, they can force the Austrian side to shift across.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That can create openings elsewhere.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The key, however, will be balance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tierney cannot simply attack for 90 minutes without considering the space behind him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n LASK will undoubtedly look for opportunities to counter into those areas.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Therefore, Celtic’s midfield must provide cover whenever the full-back advances.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That is what makes tactical discipline so important.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n —<\/p>\n <\/p>\n CELTIC’S DEFENCE CANNOT SWITCH OFF<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A clean sheet in the first leg was excellent.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But it should not disguise the fact that Celtic had defensive moments that could have gone differently.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The two disallowed LASK goals are proof that the Austrian side can get into dangerous areas.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Celtic therefore need concentration throughout the second leg.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There is no room for unnecessary fouls around the penalty area.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There is no room for casual passes across the defensive third.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And there is certainly no room for defenders assuming that the tie is already over.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The mentality must remain professional.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The scoreline gives Celtic freedom.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It does not give them permission to switch off.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n —<\/p>\n <\/p>\n THE PERFECT SECOND-LEG PERFORMANCE DOES NOT NEED TO BE SPECTACULAR<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This is where Celtic supporters may need to adjust expectations.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The return leg does not need to produce another 3\u20130 victory.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It does not even need to be another Celtic attacking masterclass.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A controlled 1\u20130 win would be outstanding.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A 1\u20131 draw would also be enough.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Even a narrow defeat would not necessarily prevent Celtic from progressing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That changes the tactical calculation completely.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Celtic can afford to be pragmatic.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They can choose their moments.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They can protect their players.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And they can make LASK carry the responsibility of trying to change the tie.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That is an advantage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Austrian side have to chase.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Celtic can wait.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n —<\/p>\n <\/p>\n THE MENTAL SIDE COULD BE JUST AS IMPORTANT<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Football is not only about formations and tactics.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It is also about psychology.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n LASK know they must score.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Every minute without a goal increases their frustration.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Every Celtic clearance will remind them of the mountain they have to climb.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Every successful Celtic spell of possession will increase the pressure.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And if Celtic score first?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The tie could effectively feel finished.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That is why Celtic should approach the match with confidence rather than fear.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They have already demonstrated that they can hurt LASK.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They now need to demonstrate that they can manage them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That is the next step in their European development.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n —<\/p>\n <\/p>\n O’NEILL’S EXPERIENCE WILL BE TESTED<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Martin O\u2019Neill deserves credit for the way Celtic responded after the opening scare in Glasgow.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The team recovered, settled themselves and eventually produced a three-goal victory.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But the second leg represents a different tactical challenge.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This time, Celtic do not need to chase the game.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They need to manage it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That requires different decisions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When should the team press?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When should they drop?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When should substitutions be made?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When should Celtic slow the game?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When should they attack the space behind LASK?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n These decisions could prove more important than simply selecting the strongest possible starting XI.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n O\u2019Neill’s experience could be invaluable in those moments.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n —<\/p>\n <\/p>\n THE SUBSTITUTE BENCH COULD BECOME A WEAPON<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Another advantage Celtic possess is that the second leg could become increasingly open as the game progresses.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If LASK are still chasing goals after 60 minutes, spaces could become enormous.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That is when fresh attacking players could cause serious damage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Celtic can use substitutions not simply to defend the lead but to exploit the changing shape of the game.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A fresh winger against a tiring full-back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A new striker against exhausted centre-backs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A midfielder capable of retaining possession when the game becomes chaotic.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n These are the details that can turn a difficult European away game into a comfortable conclusion.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n —<\/p>\n <\/p>\n THE BIGGEST MISTAKE CELTIC CAN MAKE<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There is really only one major danger.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fear.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If Celtic become obsessed with protecting the three-goal advantage, they could invite LASK onto them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That would be dangerous.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Instead, they should remember why they won the first leg.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They were clinical.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They attacked with purpose.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They combined quickly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They took advantage of opportunities.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And they had players capable of producing moments of individual quality.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The answer is therefore not to abandon those qualities.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It is to use them intelligently.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n —<\/p>\n <\/p>\n THE BLUEPRINT IS SIMPLE<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When everything is put together, Celtic’s tactical blueprint for the return leg becomes clear.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Stay compact.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Control the midfield.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Slow the game when necessary.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Attack the spaces when LASK push forward.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Use Dur\u00e1n’s pace and movement.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Allow Nygren to operate between the lines.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Protect the full-backs when they attack.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Do not give LASK an early goal.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And never confuse confidence with complacency.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That is how Celtic can finish the job.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n —<\/p>\n <\/p>\n CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DREAM IS WITHIN REACH<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Celtic are now just one match away from potentially completing a journey that has become one of the major stories of their early season.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The 3\u20130 first-leg victory has put them in an exceptionally strong position, with Dur\u00e1n and Nygren providing the attacking quality and the defence securing a clean sheet.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But the players will know that the job still has to be completed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And that is exactly why the return leg could be so fascinating.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n LASK have nothing to lose.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Celtic have everything to gain.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n One side needs a miracle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The other needs discipline.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Austrian champions will almost certainly attack because they have no alternative. Celtic’s task is to make that desperation work against them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If the Hoops can withstand the early pressure, control possession and then exploit the spaces that inevitably appear, the three-goal advantage should become increasingly difficult for LASK to overcome.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And perhaps that is the real Celtic blueprint.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It is not about defending a lead.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It is about controlling the circumstances around that lead.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Celtic have already shown that they can score against LASK.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now they must show that they can manage them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If they do that, the Champions League dream could finally become reality.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And after the frustration of last season’s European disappointment, that would make the 3\u20130 victory at Celtic Park more than just a brilliant night.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It would be the foundation for a statement.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A statement that this Celtic side is ready for Europe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A statement that the new attacking recruits can deliver on the biggest stage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And, most importantly, a statement that Martin O\u2019Neill’s team has learned how to finish what it starts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The blueprint is there.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now Celtic have to execute it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n One more performance. One more disciplined night. One more step toward the Champions League.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Celtic have one foot in the Champions League league phase, but the job is not finished \u2014 and the return leg in Austria could demand a different kind of performance from Martin O\u2019Neill\u2019s side. Celtic\u2019s 3\u20130 victory over LASK at Celtic Park has transformed the Champions League play-off tie, but it has also …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":194,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-189","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celtic-fc"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/189","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=189"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/189\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":196,"href":"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/189\/revisions\/196"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/194"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=189"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=189"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=189"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/hakimisport.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot_20260822_102639_Chrome-300x223.jpg\")
<\/strong><\/p>\n