Celtic Handed LASK Tie in Champions League Play-Off Draw

By Zee Dladla | 04.08.2026 | Sports Last Updated On 04.08.2026

Celtic Handed LASK Tie in Champions League Play-Off Draw

Celtic have been paired with Austrian title-holders LASK in the Champions League play-off stage.

Rangers, meanwhile, would meet either Northern Irish champions Larne or Georgia’s Iberia Tbilisi in the Europa League play-offs if they overcome Polish club Jagiellonia Bialystok.

Hearts, who entered the Europa League after Sturm Graz eliminated them from Champions League qualifying, will be drawn against AGF Aarhus of Denmark or Azerbaijan’s Sabah if they get past Benfica.

A defeat would send the Edinburgh club into a Conference League play-off tie with either Estonia’s Paide Linnameeskond or Rapid Vienna of Austria.

Should Rangers exit the Europa League qualifying rounds, their next opponents would be Jablonec from the Czech Republic or Latvia’s RFS.

Motherwell will be rewarded with a meeting against German Bundesliga outfit Freiburg if they defeat HJK Helsinki of Finland. Freiburg lost to Aston Villa in last season’s Europa League final.

Hibernian, meanwhile, will face either Swedish side IFK Gothenburg or Belgian club Gent if they eliminate Macedonia’s Shkendija.

Celtic will host LASK in the opening leg on 18 or 19 August, before travelling for the return fixture the following week.

LASK secured their second domestic championship last season, their first since 1965, and like Martin O’Neill’s Celtic side, entered the competition directly at the play-off stage.

Written by Staff Writer

Zibuyile began her media journey as a sales intern at Mediamark (Kagiso Media) before moving into digital content creation for ZAlebs.com. Over four years, she helped evolve the platform from a simple blog into one of South Africa's leading independent entertainment news sites.

Following ZAlebs' transition to Celebrity Worx in 2016, Zibuyile was promoted to Executive Editor, recognized for her sharp audience insight and ability to match editorial with branded content. Highlights of her time include a Bookmark Award nomination, judging TLC's Next Great Presenter, reporting from the MTV EMAs, and building partnerships with radio stations like YFM, Cliff Central, and Good Hope FM.

Her editorial work also expanded to include fast-growing digital verticals—such as lifestyle tech, online entertainment, and gambling-related content—tailored to evolving reader interests and brand opportunities.

Published on 04.08.2026
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