Martin O'Neill has made it clear that Celtic should set their sights on the ultimate prize in European football – the Champions League – as they prepare for a crucial play‑off tie against Austrian champions LASK. The 74‑year‑old manager paid tribute to the legendary Lisbon Lions, the squad that lifted the European Cup in 1967, noting that their achievement still defines the benchmark for the club. He argued that, despite the stark financial realities of modern football, Celtic must continue to dream of emulating that historic triumph.
O'Neill also voiced his disappointment over the recent departure of influential midfielder Arne Engels, who completed a £22 million move to West Ham United after a £25 million bid from Nottingham Forest fell through earlier in the January window. The loss of Engels, a player known for his relentless work‑rate and box‑to‑box stamina, comes at a delicate moment, just days before the high‑stakes play‑off that could see Celtic back in the Champions League group stage. Last season, Celtic were eliminated at the same stage by Kazakh side Kairat Almaty, a result that left the Scottish champions hungry for redemption.
This year, with a refreshed roster and a renewed sense of purpose, they are determined to prove they belong among Europe’s elite. The upcoming match at the Estadio Metropolitano – the venue slated to host the 2027 Champions League final in Madrid – will be a symbolic moment.
It will be sixty years after Celtic captain Billy McNeil lifted the original trophy, an image now immortalised in bronze outside Celtic Park. The football landscape has transformed dramatically since 1967. Scottish clubs no longer possess the deep pockets of the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A or Ligue 1 giants. Yet O'Neill, who himself won the European Cup twice as a player with Nottingham Forest, insists that ambition should not be curtailed by economics.
"The bar was set in 1967," he told reporters. "From that point on, Celtic should always be aspiring to that level.
We may never reach it, especially given the financial climate, but the ambition must remain." He stressed that while the odds are steep, the club must still aim high and give everything they have. "We will make an all‑out effort to try and make it," O'Neill added, underscoring the importance of maintaining a winning mentality even when the financial gap seems insurmountable. Beyond prestige, the Champions League brings substantial monetary rewards that keep club executives satisfied. Celtic earned over £40 million from their last participation in the 2024/25 campaign, where they were knocked out by Bayern Munich in the first knockout round.
If O'Neill’s side successfully navigate the LASK play‑off, they will secure roughly £16 million in automatic prize money, even if they lose all eight group‑stage matches. Each draw in the group stage is worth £600,000, while each victory nets £1.8 million. Additional earnings are allocated based on final league‑phase placement and progress through the knockout rounds.
Moreover, UEFA’s "value pillar" – a complex distribution model that weighs club coefficients and TV market ratings – could bring Celtic another £14.4 million to £16.6 million, depending on how the competition unfolds. Ticket sales also represent a lucrative stream; four sold‑out home games at Celtic Park could generate around £10 million in gross revenue. All told, qualifying for the Champions League could be worth an estimated £40 million before a single ball is kicked.
The stakes are high because a year ago, a fifth consecutive failure to qualify threatened to derail Celtic’s season. The disappointment sparked fan protests, with supporters accusing the board of neglect and calling for greater investment. In response, the club has now injected more than £30 million into the squad, signing players such as Kasper Hogh, Camilo Duran, Hasseim Hassan and Mika Baur. Despite losing key figures like Daizen Maeda, Kasper Schmeichel, Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi, O'Neill remains confident in his team's depth.
He highlighted the recent signings, noting that while some, like Hassan, may need more playing time to reach full potential, the overall quality added should bear fruit across both domestic and European competitions. The timing of Engels’ departure was particularly inconvenient. The Belgium international had been linked with a substantial fee from Nottingham Forest, but ultimately chose West Ham, a move confirmed only days before the LASK tie.
O'Neill admitted that finding a direct replacement on short notice is challenging. While Celtic possess several midfield options, none match Engels’ unique blend of physicality and relentless running. "He wanted to leave to avoid injury risk," O'Neill explained. "It’s understandable, but for us it’s a disappointment because his energy and power are hard to replace at this moment." Nevertheless, the manager emphasized that the squad still has the tools to compete.
He praised the players who remain, suggesting they understand the significance of the upcoming fixtures and are eager to deliver. "We’re focusing on the games ahead, aiming for results and trying to get through," he said. "The quality we’ve brought in will pay dividends as the season progresses." Looking ahead, Celtic’s ambition extends beyond a single tie.
The club aims to re‑establish itself as a regular fixture in the Champions League group stage, a status that would boost its global profile, attract higher‑calibre talent, and provide a financial platform to compete more effectively with larger leagues. O'Neill’s message is clear: while the financial gap may widen, the spirit of 1967 should continue to inspire Celtic’s players, staff and supporters. By setting lofty goals, even if they seem unattainable, the club can foster a culture of excellence that may one day see the green and white hoops lift Europe’s most coveted trophy once again.