Champions League Playoffs 2025-2026: Kairat Almaty-Celtic Glasgow, likely lineups

After surprising everyone with an unexpected draw in the first leg, Kairat arrives at the return leg full of enthusiasm and determination to win a place in the Champions League group stage. On Tuesday, in Almaty at 6:45 p.m. Italian time, they will face a team with an illustrious past like Celtic.

The 0-0 draw achieved in Scotland still keeps the qualification discourse open for both teams: Kairat is dreaming of the big one, while Celtic must avoid a resounding elimination.

The draw in Glasgow complicated the situation for the Scots, who faced a long trip of nearly 7,000 kilometers to Almaty, where a Kairat still unbeaten at home in the three European matches played so far awaits them.

The record also does not smile on Celtic: in three trips to Kazakhstan they have never won, with two defeats and one draw. A record that makes the challenge even more difficult. Making matters worse for coach Rodgers is the heavy absence of Alistair Johnston, who left through injury after only 35 minutes in the first leg.

Probable lineups

Kairat (4-3-3):Anarbekov; Tapalov, Sorokin, Martynovich, Luis Mata; Glazer, Gromyko, Arad; Satpaev, Edmilson Santos, Jorginho. Coach: Urazbakhtin

Celtic (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Nygren, Yamada, Maeda. Coach: Rodgers