Celtic’s season on the European stage started in the most brutal fashion imaginable. The ignominy of losing to Kairat Almaty on penalties in Kazakhstan has left the club reeling, with over £40 million in Champions League revenue evaporating into the thin air of east-central Asia.
Adam Idah of Celtic appears dejected after missing a penalty during the shootout Kairat Almaty v Celtic, UEFA Champions League, Play-Off Round, Second Leg, Football, Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan – 26 August 2025. Photo Nikita Bassov/Shutterstock
What should have been a routine progression has instead become the latest chapter in a growing catalogue of European embarrassments for the Celtic boardroom masterminds, who believe themselves to be world-class in everything that they done.
The failure against Kairat represents more than just another early exit. It’s a damning indictment of a club that has allowed its standards to slip dramatically on the European stage and that’s a result of the mindset in a boardroom where football success comes way behind football achievement. They’ve spent the last decade or so lording it over the rest of Scottish football managing to win the usual one horse race.
Nicolas Kuhn scores during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between FC Bayern München and Celtic FC at Allianz Arena on February 18, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Just six months after going toe-to-toe with Bayern Munich and coming within seconds of forcing extra time in Bavaria, Celtic couldn’t manage a single goal across 210 minutes against opponents they should have comfortably dispatched. Well that’s the kind of thing that happens when you fail to replace your top striker and sell your best right winger while you top left winger is out injured for a year with an ACL injury.
The ramifications extend far beyond the immediate financial hit. Brendan Rodgers too finds himself under intense scrutiny, with question marks over both his tactical approach and squad management. Last weekend an unnamed Celtic insider briefed against Rodgers in the Sun newspaper, much to the anger of the Celtic support, both for the underhand message and the choice of mainstream media outlet selected.
Brendan Rodgers manager of Celtic arrives at the stadium prior to the match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on August 31, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
With the Northern Irishman firmly in the firing line for the sack from the Board, top rated betting sites are already seeing odds shift, with former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou until today quoted as the 3/1 favourite for a Celtic return should Rodgers depart. That though is NOT going to happen for various reasons, the first being that Ange was appointed as the new manager at Nottingham Forest earlier today. The smart money will be on John Kennedy assisted by Shaun Maloney.
The second reason is that the current fan revolt against the Celtic Board means that Rodgers’ esteem among the support has probably increased considerately. Credit where it is due, Rodgers was the one voice from inside the club calling for quality additions in the transfer market whereas the Celtic Board simply made a complete shambles of the transfer window and left Celtic embarrassed, out of the Champions League and at war with itself.
The domestic picture offers a little more comfort. A nervy, goalless Glasgow Derby against a struggling theRangers highlighted Celtic’s current malaise, with a flat performance that failed to register a single shot in the first half. The harmony and positivity that once existed between supporters and the board have been replaced by bitterness and frustration. However Celtic had built up a very handy six points lead over theRangers and that’s after playing two very tough away fixtures at Pittodrie and Ibrox.
Celtic players acknowledge the Celtic support. theRangers v Celtic,31 August 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Following the shock Champions League exit, Celtic must quickly regroup and focus on the Europa League, where a challenging group awaits. The Hoops will face eight fixtures between September and January, and it’s certainly no walk in the park, especially as supporters are looking at boycotting the Europa League matches at Celtic Park in protest at the Board’s arrogance and failings.
Celtic’s Europa League Group Opponents
Celtic must navigate a tough group, where each opponent brings its own challenges, and strong performances could provide a lifeline for the manager while restoring confidence across the squad.
A home game against Roma is far from ideal. The Italians enter the competition as one of the leading outright favourites to lift the trophy in Istanbul. After reaching the final in 2023 and regularly progressing deep into Europe’s knockouts, they’ve built a reputation as one of the safest picks in this competition.
Arne Engels – theRangers v Celtic,31 August 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
As well as a stable squad and the experience to handle the league phase format, they also have Gian Piero Gasperini in charge, who won the 2024 Europa League with Atalanta, a manager who knows exactly how to navigate this tournament.
Then there’s the away days. Red Star Belgrade is a genuinely intimidating prospect in one of Europe’s most hostile environments. The Serbian giants have made a habit of scalping Premier League giants in recent seasons, memorably getting the better of both Liverpool and Arsenal on European nights.
Dedinje creates an atmosphere that has unnerved far more experienced sides than this current Celtic team.
There’s also a trip to Italy to take on Bologna. The Italian side qualified by winning the 2024-25 Coppa Italia and boast an experienced squad with an excellent home record.
Liam Scales of Celtic wins a header from a corner during the Scottish Premiership match, theRangers vs Celtic, Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, 31/08/2025. Photo Colin Poultney PSI
Braga have been prolific in front of goal in recent seasons, regularly finding the net in the Portuguese league. However, inconsistency has often held them back from making a real impact in Europe. Their attacking threat is undeniable, but if Celtic’s defence is alert and disciplined, they could be there for the taking at Celtic Park.
There’s a chance to secure points against less favourable opposition in Austrian outfit Sturm Graz, who travel to Glasgow in November, as well as familiar foes Midtjylland, who have undone Celtic in the past but have undergone a lukewarm start to their season in the Danish Superliga.
Celtic Europa League 2025-26 Group Stage Fixtures
● Roma (home) – 24 September
● Feyenoord (away) – 2 October
● Braga (home) – 16 October
● Red Star Belgrade (away) – 30 October
● Sturm Graz (home) – 6 November
● Midtjylland (away) – 27 November
● Utrecht (home) – 11 December
● Bologna (away) – 29 January
Michel-Ange Balikwisha. theRangers v Celtic,31 August 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
The Europa League gives Celtic a chance to make amends for the Champion League embarrassment. Away from the do-or-die pressure of Champions League qualifiers, Rodgers can use these games to rebuild confidence, bed in his new signings, and get the team clicking again. The longer league-phase format also gives them more room to find their rhythm than the usual short knockout rounds.
The big question is whether this Celtic squad, caught between transition and expectation, can actually rise to the occasion or if the shadow of Almaty will continue to hang over their European campaign. These fixtures are an opportunity to turn things around but it won’t be handed to them on a plate.
Not home to Roma on 24th Sept it’s 11th December. Don’t remember the harmony between the Board and the supporters. It’s a power issue, the supporters have none.