Celtic now know that they will face the winner of the tie between Kairat Almaty and Slovan Bratislava. While the latter are a known quantity, who are much closer to Scotland than Kazakhstani side Kairat Almaty, what is actually known of the alternative opponent?
For most Celtic supporters the answer is very little.
Kairat, who are currently drawing 0-0 at home in the first leg of their qualifier with Slovan Bratislava, are the champions of Kazakstan. They play in a 23,804 seater stadium known as Central Stadium, which the club only acquired ownership of in 2015 in exchange for Almaty council gaining a 30% share in the club.
Formed in 1954, the club have only won four Kazakstan League titles, in 1992, 2004, 2020 and 2024. Although, they did win the Soviet First League twice in 1976 and 1983. Added to those titles are 10 Kazakstan Cups.
Last season Kairat Almaty played 24 league games, amassing 14 wins, 5 draws and 5 defeats. Against familiar opponents Astana, they managed a 1-1 draw in March and a 1-0 defeat last September. When facing other known Kazak opposition, Shaktar Karagandy, they managed two victories; 4-2 last June and 3-0 last July.
Kairat’s team is primarily made up of Kazakstan born players, though they have two Israelis and a number of Brazilians in their ranks.
The club has finished in the top 2 during 7 of the last 10 league seasons and has been in the top 4 in every season since 2013. In Europe, they have played 10 Champions League qualifying games, winning 5, drawing 2 and losing 3. The UEFA Cup/Europa League is where they are commonly found and in those competitions they have won 17 matches, drawing 7 and losing 14 from their 38 fixtures in the competition. In recent years, the advent of the Conference League has enabled Almaty to enter another tier of European competition, which they’ve struggled in, winning just two games from 10, drawing 2 and losing 6.
In recent years, Kairat Almaty have beaten sides such as Red Star Belgrade, Maccabi Haifa and Az Alkmaar. So, they’re not to be taken likely, though we would of course be favourites if we do end up facing the Kazakstan based club.
…… had we not gone backwards…Maybe favourites last season, lucky if it’s 50:50 now.