Martin O'Neill has made it clear that Celtic should set their sights on winning the Champions League, even 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 side that secured the club’s historic European Cup triumph in 1967 – and argued that their legacy should serve as a benchmark for today’s squad, despite the stark financial realities of modern football. O'Neill also voiced his disappointment at the recent departure of influential midfielder Arne Engels, who completed a move to West Ham United just days before the £40 million‑valued encounter.
Engels’ exit, he admitted, leaves a noticeable gap in the midfield, but he remains confident that the group of players currently at Celtic can rise to the occasion. Last season, Celtic were eliminated at the play‑off stage by Kazakh side Kairat Almaty, a result that underscored the need for fresh talent and renewed belief. This year, with a number of new signings added to the roster, the Scottish champions return to Europe with a point to prove. By the time the Estadio Metropolitano hosts the 2027 Champions League final in Madrid, it will have been six decades since Celtic captain Billy McNeil lifted the trophy – an iconic bronze statue of that moment now stands outside Celtic Park.
The landscape of football has shifted dramatically over those 60 years. Scottish clubs no longer possess the financial clout of the elite teams in England, Spain, Germany, France or Italy.
Yet O'Neill, a two‑time European Cup winner as a player with Nottingham Forest, insists that ambition should not be tempered by economics. "The bar was set in 1967," he told reporters before the match. "From that point on, Celtic should be aspiring to that level. It may never happen, especially with the way the financial market has evolved, but we must still aim for it.
We will give an all‑out effort to try and get there." While prestige and the chance to test themselves against the continent’s best motivate players and staff, the financial incentives are equally compelling. Celtic earned more than £40 million from their previous Champions League campaign in 2024/25, where they were knocked out by Bayern Munich in the first knockout round. If they can navigate the LASK play‑off this season, they stand to collect roughly £16 million in guaranteed prize money, even if they lose all eight group‑stage matches.
Beyond that base amount, each draw in the group stage is worth about £600,000 and each victory brings £1.8 million. Additional sums are awarded based on final league‑phase placement and progression through the knockout rounds.
According to data from Football Meets Data, Celtic could also receive between £14.4 million and £16.6 million from UEFA’s “value pillar” distribution, which allocates funds according to club coefficients and TV market ratings. The exact figure will depend on which teams advance to the group stage. Gate receipts add another layer of revenue. Four sold‑out home games at Celtic Park could generate roughly £10 million in ticket sales, meaning that simply qualifying for the group stage could be worth an estimated £40 million for the club.
A year ago, a fifth consecutive failure to reach the Champions League proper threatened to derail Celtic’s season. The disappointment sparked protests from fans who accused the board of neglect and complacency, with banners and statements from supporters’ groups demanding change.
In response, the club invested heavily over the summer, spending more than £30 million on new acquisitions such as Kasper Hogh, Camilo Duran, Hasseim Hassan and Mika Baur. Despite losing key figures like Engels, Daizen Maeda, Kasper Schmeichel, Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi, O'Neill believes the squad is equipped to handle LASK.
"The players who are still here may remember past glories and feel they have something to achieve this time," he said. "We are focused on getting results and progressing through the ties. I like the players we have signed, and I think they will start to make an impact as the season unfolds, whether in the Champions League or the Europa League." Engels’ departure was almost inevitable; a £25 million bid from Premier League side Nottingham Forest materialised on deadline day in January, and he eventually moved to West Ham for £22 million in the summer. The transfer was only confirmed on Saturday, leaving O'Neill with limited time to find a direct replacement.
While Celtic have a wealth of midfield options – including new signing Baur from Paderborn – none match Engels’ unique blend of stamina and physical presence. "Arne wanted to leave and avoid risking injury," O'Neill explained. "I understood his decision, but it is disappointing for the club because his running power and work rate are hard to replace, especially for the next two games. We are still searching for a suitable alternative and hope to complete a signing before the transfer window closes." In summary, O'Neill’s message is one of ambition tempered by realism.
He urges Celtic to keep the 1967 triumph as a guiding star, while acknowledging the financial and competitive challenges that Scottish football faces today. With substantial prize money on the line, a refreshed squad, and a passionate fan base demanding success, the upcoming play‑off against LASK represents both a test and an opportunity for the Glasgow club to reignite its European aspirations.