It’s ‘Duran’ ‘Duran’ as Celtic’s Colombian striker bangs in a beautiful brace to scare the ‘Living Daylights’ out of LASK!

Last night, Colombian striker Camilo Duran announced his arrival at Celtic Park.

He didn’t do it subtly, he didn’t do it quietly, and he certainly didn’t shy away from the occasion on hand.

He burst onto the Champions League scene at Paradise, picking up where he had left off with Qarabag last season.

Needless to say his own nation, Colombia, was bursting with pride after his beautiful brace lit up Celtic Park last night.

Here are just a few of the headlines in the Colombian media this morning:

Gol Caracol

“¡Destructivo y Goleador! Camilo Durán fulmina a LASK con un doblete sensacional en la Champions.”
(Destructive and Goal-scoring! Camilo Durán strikes down LASK with a sensational brace in the Champions League.)

El Tiempo

“Camilo Durán toca las puertas de la Selección Colombia tras magistral noche europea con el Celtic.”
(Camilo Durán knocks on the doors of the Colombian National Team after a masterful European night with Celtic.)

Futbolred

“¡Ya pagó su fichaje! En Escocia se rinden ante Camilo Durán y Martin O’Neill lo califica de ‘Clase Mundial’.”
(He already paid off his transfer fee! In Scotland they surrender to Camilo Durán as Martin O’Neill brands him ‘World Class’.)

Yes, he’s the pride of Colombia this morning, there’s no doubting that much.

And after last night, he’s certainly given national coach, Nestor Lorenzo, food for thought!

He was outstanding from throughout his performance for the Bhoys last night.

His two goals were sublime.

But they were only the icing on the cake in what was an all round top class performance.

In fact, I’ll repeat what Celtic boss Martin O’Neill said last night, ‘I’m not going to say that he’s world class just yet, but that was a world class performance…’

Could you really argue with that?

Duran was a complete nuisance for LASK last night.

They couldn’t cope with his movement, his trickery, his pace, and above all else, his tracking back was outstanding.

Dare I say it this early, but Duran is starting to look like an upgrade from Daizen Maeda.

Now don’t get me wrong, Maeda’s legend and cult status at Celtic will never be under threat.

In years to come, we’ll celebrate the Japanese front man like Henrik Larsson.

But the one thing Duran seems to possess that Daizen Maeda didn’t?

A lethal finish.

When Duran is in front of goal, there is no hesitation.

He picks his spot, and BANG!!

He proved that not once, but twice, last night.

You know what else seemed to stand out about Camilo Duran at Celtic Park last night?

His modesty.

You could see he was genuinely blown away by the praise and adulation he received from his team mates after the game.

Not to mind in the stands.

Even Fozzy smacked a kiss on his forehead after the final whistle.

Duran is only 4 competitive games into the new season, and he is already becoming a hero at Celtic Park.

As for his goals?

Camilo Duran.

Remember the name 🪄✨ pic.twitter.com/kCrBIKhLJL

— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) August 19, 2026

He had a hard act to follow after Benjamin Nygren’s opener, but boy did he follow it, and then some!

It was a fantastic first time volley after the ball had been headed out from defence.

The second goal was then following a beautiful build up, which Duran was fully involved in.

A beautiful padded pass from Nygren, and within the blink of an eye, the ball was hitting the top corner of the LASK net.

Celtic have given themselves a serious chance of progression now.

Taking a 3-0 lead to Linz was the best we could have hoped for.

It was the lead we talked about for so long in the build up on the Trinity Tims podcast.

Well, we’ve got it now.

Will LASK cause us problems in Austria?

Of course they will.

They looked a class outfit last night, and if it hadn’t been for their finishing, and two disallowed goals due to offside, it could have been a much different outcome.

But you get the feeling that this one is written in the stars.

I said before the game that Martin O’Neill was the Ace up our sleeve, and boy, did it play out that way.

Whatever he said to his charges before that game resonated.

It hit home, and it was reflected in that performance.

Mika Baur did not look out of place at all.

The German midfielder was excellent throughout, and barely put a foot wrong.

And spare a thought for Kasper Høgh…

He spent a lot of time fighting a lone battle up front last night.

But do not underestimate his overall contribution, and especially his involvement in Celtic’s 3rd goal.

He started the move which ended up with Duran’s thunderous strike hitting the top left hand corner of the net.

He pulled the LASK defence all over the place, and even though he didn’t score a goal, that kind of contribution is priceless.

Combine his work rate, and Duran’s energy, pace and tracking back, and we really have a lethal strike force now.

I know it’s only half-time in this tie, but we will score goals in Linz.

I don’t doubt that.

Last night was fantastic.

Last night, Camilo Duran announced himself at Celtic.

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