Watch highlights as Kairat Almaty go through to face Celtic

You’ll want to watch the highlights from the Slovan Bratislava versus Kairat Almaty last night which ended in a 1-0 win for the home side after extra-time was played. With the tie level at 1-1 a penalty shoot-out followed with the Champions of Kazakhstan winning 4-3…

Most Celtic supporters reckoned we’d be playing Slovan for the second season in a row so it was something of a surprise result and one that will see Celtic having to make a 7000 mile road trip before our place in the the Champions League proper is confirmed.

Watching the highlights it certainly looks like Celtic will be able to cause Kairat problems defensively next Wednesday night, as Brendan Rodgers will look to put the tie out of reach before the away leg the following Tuesday.

Yet Kairat Almaty had more efforts on goal and although they failed to find the back of the net last night those chances on another day could have gone in. Celtic’s defence though seems strong enough to cope and it’s really in the attacking areas where we have real concerns, with none of our forward players getting on the scoresheet in the two Scottish Premiership openers.

It’s hard to imagine the front three being anything other than the three who started at Pittodrie as the Celtic manager’s options are limited to say the least in attacking areas. So James Forrest, Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda will have to find a way to goal as Celtic will be looking for at least a two goal advantage to take to Kazakhstan.

Celtic supporters would like more that and maybe then the purse stings will be opened by the thrifty Celtic Board. If Celtic can’t get past Kairat Almaty – and with all due respect to them – them we hardly deserve a place in the Champions League.

Supporters often talk about the importance of the Champions League, due to the money that it brings into the club. However we’re now seeing supporters saying that they’re not too bothered about getting through to the Champions League anyway as the Board never spend the money on the team. That’s new territory but where we are at the moment.

Have a look at Kairat Almaty’s performance last night as they found a way past a team that reached the Champions League group stage last season.

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CELTIC IN THE EIGHTIES BY DAVID POTTER, FOREWORD BY DANNY McGRAIN is published by Celtic Star Books on the fifth day of September. You can pre-order now to guarantee your copy which will be signed by Danny McGrain, with just a limited number of signed copies still available, although they are selling very quickly.

And there’s another great benefit for readers who pre-order their copy of Celtic in the Eighties. You will also receive a copy of an earlier David Potter book – Celtic’ Icicle – Alec McNair – which you’ll receive for FREE when you pre-order with Celtic in the Eighties. So you get two great Celtic books by David Potter and better still the postage is only charged on one. Click on the image below to order. (Just order Celtic in the Eighties and we’ll automatically add a copy of the Alec McNair book).