Maeda Must Lead The Attack | Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Kairat | OneFootball

The lack of transfer activities frustrated the Celtic fans, who were furious after a dreadful scoreless draw at Parkhead against FC Kairat. The Hoops must clinch a win in Kazakhstan on Tuesday night to qualify for the Champions League main draw, and Brendan Rodgers’ decision to rest several first-team stars in their weekend tie with Livingston depicts the significance of tomorrow’s encounter.

The Kazakh side scripted an edgy win in Slovenia in the previous round, as they eliminated Slovan Bratislava via the tie-breakers. A result on the road has put them in the driver’s seat ahead of hosting Celtic in Almaty, and the Kazakh outfit would put everything on the line to make it among the elites, being the lowest-ranked side left in the competition.

Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face FC Kairat

Defence

Kasper Schmeichel has yet to concede a goal so far this campaign. He must grab another one this midweek, as this fixture holds more magnitude over the upcoming Old Firm clash at Ibrox.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – AUGUST 20: Reo Hatate of Celtic is put under pressure by Dastan Satpaev and Yerkin Tapalov of Kairat Almaty during the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round First Leg match between Celtic and Kairat Almaty at Celtic Park on August 20, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Alistair Johnston’s injury absence is a massive blow for the Bhoys. Anthony Ralston would feature from the right, whereas Hayato Inamura, not part of Celtic’s Champions League squad, is set to make way for Kieran Tierney. Liam Scales should keep his place and partner with Cameron Carter-Vickers in the heart of the backline. The USMNT centre-half would make way for Dane Murray, the young defensive prospect, who got the nod against David Martindale’s men due to Auston Trusty’s injury absence.

Midfield

Rodgers should consider Benjamin Nygren as a wide attacker after his brace on Saturday afternoon. Despite being deployed as a box-to-box midfielder, the dynamic Sweden international could add more firepower high up the pitch, given their lack of depth and quality in the attacking third. Callum McGregor must drive the show from the base of their three-man midfield, with Reo Hatate and Luke McCowan might be utilised as the ‘number 8’ pair over Arne Engels and Paulo Bernardo for their attacking flair.

Although the Celts’ chief tried Shin Yamada as an outright ‘number 9’ against their West Lothian opponents, substitute Johnny Kenny left a better impact by making it 3-0 late in the game. With Adam Idah being an injury doubt, Daizen Maeda must feature as a centre-forward, having impressed up top last season following Kyogo Furuhashi’s departure. Hyun-Jun Yang would fit in on the left, and the veteran James Forrest might be introduced at some stage, regardless of Nygren’s presence down the right.