Kairat Almaty boss, despite injury problems, eyes historic win over Celtic

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The Celtic Star

·26 agosto 2025

Kairat Almaty boss, despite injury problems, eyes historic win over Celtic

Kairat Almaty boss Rafael Urazbakhtin has cautioned Celtic against underestimating his side ahead of the Hoops’ pivotal Champions League playoff encounter this evening…

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)

Celtic will take on the Kazakh champions in tonight’s play-off second leg, with the tie level at 0-0 following a scoreless draw at Celtic Park last Wednesday.

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Brendan Rodgers’ side must become the first Scottish side in history to secure victory in Kazakhstan in order to advance to the Champions League group stage for a fourth consecutive season.

決戦の地まだキックオフ12時間前だけど😅
– martedì 26 agosto 2025

However, Urazbakhtin believes Celtic will approach his team with greater caution following last week’s draw in Glasgow, as he focuses on creating history by becoming the first Kazakh club to seal a place at Europe’s top table.

Speaking to the media ahead of tonight’s game Urazbakhtin said as reported by Scottish Sun: “Celtic players may have underestimated us at home. Now they will look at our game in a different way. I think they will have a different motivation and attitude.

“Yes, there is a negative atmosphere around Celtic. But I think this is a team of high-level players.” Urazbakhtin added: “I think they are used to dealing with such issues. They understand that everything depends on them. We also think that everything depends on us.

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)

“I don’t think there is a bigger pressure on Celtic than on our home team. We will try to meet them and qualify to the group stage. And our task is to make it happen, to do everything we can.”

Celtic have received a welcome boost for tonight’s game as Kairat are expected to be without four starters due to a combination of injuries and suspensions.

Urazbakhtin had to substitute goalkeeper Alexander Zarutsky in the last 15 minutes of the first leg because of an injury, bringing on 21-year-old Temirlan Anarbekov. The young shot-stopper will likely be called into action tonight, as Kazakhstan’s media reports that the first-choice keeper will not be fit for this evening’s £40 million clash.

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)

In more positive news for Celtic, Chelsea-bound prospect Dastan Satpayev will also miss tonight’s game due to a suspension after receiving a yellow card for obstructing Arne Engels during a free-kick in the 101st minute last week.

Left-back Luis Mata and midfielder Giorgi Zaria were absent from the Celtic Park encounter and are set to miss the second leg tonight as well.

Adam Idah celebrates. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

From last week’s squad Celtic will be without Auston Trusty and Alistair Johnston while Adam Idah has travelled but remains a doubt after sitting out Saturday’s 3-0 home win over Livingston through injury.

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