Celtic winger Camilo Duran scored twice as Martin O'Neill's side defeated LASK 3-0 at Celtic Park in a UEFA Champions League qualifier.
The Colombian hit two brilliant strikes following Benjamin Nygren's opening goal to give the Scottish champions a three-goal advantage heading into next week's return leg in Austria.
Celtic, who play in the Scottish Premiership at their stadium in Glasgow, are aiming to reach the Champions League group stage after missing out under former manager Brendan Rodgers last year.
Duran was signed from Azerbaijani club Qarabag for an initial fee of £4.5 million and was making just his fourth appearance for the club. Following the win, O'Neill claimed the winger had already paid off his transfer fee.
"He was exceptional," O'Neill said after the match. "Really exceptional. I said that to him. He’s been fantastic for us since he’s arrived at the football club."
The manager was delighted with Duran's work in attack and praised his willingness to track back and assist 19-year-old defender Colby Donovan on the flank.
"His goals were terrific, but his play was great," O'Neill said. "His running back, helping full backs, helping Colby out on a number of occasions. It was just a magnificent performance. If he stays clear of injury, he’s going to be a really, really good player."
O'Neill added: "I think that whatever we paid for Duran, I think he has paid his ticket by now. He’s only entered his fourth game. I don’t think it was an awful lot of money when you consider some of the fees that they’re talking about for the Premier League. I think he’s a real bargain, four and a half million or something like that there."
First half pressure
Despite the comfortable final scoreline, Celtic had to overcome a difficult opening spell against the Linz-based Austrian champions, who threatened early in the first half.
LASK started the brighter of the two sides at Parkhead and created two clear opportunities in the opening minutes before Celtic found their rhythm.
"They had a great shot in the first minute, just marginally offside," O'Neill said. "They had a great chance just a moment or two after that, so they started the brighter. It took us time to get going, but when we did then we scored."
O'Neill admitted that his team rode their luck during an open and end-to-end first half before taking control of the tie.
"I thought there were periods where we played some really fantastic stuff, there were periods where they played some fantastic stuff," O'Neill explained. "It was really like a basketball game, particularly in the first half. We rode a little bit of luck."
Nygren opened the scoring with a stunning effort to relieve the early pressure before Duran scored twice to put Celtic in control, though O'Neill stressed that the tie remains undecided ahead of next Tuesday's second leg.
"It was a great goal by Nygren to take a bit of pressure off, give us the lead. And then Duran’s two goals were fantastic," O'Neill said. "The game is absolutely in the balance. I didn’t even have to say it in the dressing room to the players. They know, they absolutely know this."
O'Neill also noted that Celtic's performance level will improve as the squad gains match sharpness. "We can improve in the sense that I think that playing the game will bring us on in terms of fitness as much as anything else," he said. "It would be lovely, but I think we are a long way from that. Genuinely, next Tuesday will be a major test for us."
Performance of Colby Donovan
O'Neill reserved special praise for teenage defender Colby Donovan, who was called into the starting lineup to deputise for regular right-back Alistair Johnston.
Donovan, a 19-year-old local player who came through Celtic's youth academy, delivered a fearless display against the Austrian champions.
"He really did great," O'Neill said. "He’s got a big, big heart and that’s nice to see, really nice to see. He’s a local lad as well too and loves it. Loves the football club, loves playing. His enthusiasm is boundless."
"He stuck to his task brilliantly tonight," O'Neill added. "It’s great to see a young player like that, just showing no sign of fear or nerves, or just go out and attack the game like that. He just goes for it."
Midfield transfer search
Off the pitch, Celtic are seeking to strengthen their squad before the transfer window closes and have identified Niko Sigur as a key recruitment target.
The Scottish champions are looking at the Hajduk Split midfielder as a direct replacement for Arne Engels, following the Belgian's £22 million transfer to Premier League club West Ham United.
Sigur, who was part of Canada's squad at the World Cup, plays in Croatia for Hajduk Split and is expected to be available for a transfer fee of around £3 million.
