Kairat boss demands team give their all to eliminate Celtic

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The Celtic Star

·22 August 2025

Kairat boss demands team give their all to eliminate Celtic

Kairat Almaty boss Rafael Urazbakhtin has vowed to his supporters that his team will give their all to eliminate Celtic from the Champions League next week after the first leg ended in a 0-0 draw on Wednesday night…

Rafael Urazbakhtin, Head Coach of Kairat Almaty after the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round First Leg match between Celtic and Kairat Almaty at Celtic Park on August 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The Kazakhstan Premier League winners managed a surprising goalless draw against Brendan Rodgers’ side, with the playoff return leg scheduled for next Tuesday at Almaty Central Stadium, kicking off at 5:45pm CPT.

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Kairat created the game’s clearest chance when Alexsandr Martynovich’s first-half goal was correctly disallowed for offside, although there were hardly any opportunities created in the match by both sides. After the game, Urazbakhtin acknowledged his side’s disappointment at failing to score at Celtic Park but remained hopeful about their prospects in Almaty next week.

Rafael Urazbakhtin, Head Coach of Kairat Almaty after the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round First Leg match between Celtic and Kairat Almaty at Celtic Park on August 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“We wanted to score from the chances we had”

Speaking via Tribuna, Kairat’s boss said: “Naturally [we’re disappointed]. Of course, we wanted to score from the chances we had. We told the guys that opportunities would come and that we needed to try to take them, because, against a team like Celtic, you won’t get many chances. Yes, it did not work out, but that is okay.”

Urazbakhtin added: “We now face a long trip, recovery, and at the moment, I can’t tell you exactly what will happen in the return leg. The only thing I can promise is that the guys will fight the same way and leave everything on the pitch, and, of course, we are counting on the support of our home crowd,” Urazbakhtin said.

“Their influence and encouragement, just like Celtic’s support at their home ground, will really help us,” he added.

Celtic now must do what no Scottish team has done before

Next week, Celtic must do what no other Scottish team has ever done before and that is secure a victory in Kazakhstan. The Hoops must endure a demanding 3,500-mile trip to reach the Central Asian country. However by the time the match kicks off the Kairat players will have done twice the travelling as Celtic after going to and from Glasgow.

Rafael Urazbakhtin, Head Coach of Kairat Almaty and Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic look on during the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round First Leg match between Celtic and Kairat Almaty at Celtic Park on August 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

First up for Rodgers’ men though is a Scottish Premiership encounter against Livingston at Celtic Park tomorrow afternoon where they will aim to make it three wins from three in the league.

The Celtic manager will rotate his squad with Tuesday £40m showdown in mind so the likes of Dane Murray, Auston Trusty, Paulo Bernardo, Luke McCowan and Johnny Kenny are likely to get starts, with further rotation from the bench if Celtic can open up a decent advantage in the match.

Brendan Rodgers arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round First Leg match between Celtic and Kairat Almaty at Celtic Park on August 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Brendan’s pre-match media conference will be starting at around 1.30pm and we’ll know more then.

Conor Spence

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