Celtic have never won any of their three previous visits to Kazakhstan, losing two of them. In fact, the Hoops have lost each of their last three away games in the Champions League play-off round, winning none of five ties on the road at this stage since a 2-0 victory over Helsingborgs in 2013.
Kairat vs Celtic preview
Celtic supporters expect to be in the Champions League, while for Kairat it remains a dream but, after last Wednesday's first leg in Glasgow, it is winner takes all at Almaty Central Stadium.
When the draw was made, Celtic came into this tie as massive favourites to progress, but now, that is not so much the case. Last week's first leg at Parkhead finished goalless and, in truth, the Hoops rarely looked like finding the breakthrough. Daizen Maeda squandered a golden chance in stoppage time, tamely shooting straight at Temirlan Anarbekov, as Kairat departed Glasgow with a full deserved goalless draw, but there must be a winner as the duo reconvene 3,500 miles east in Almaty.
Celtic are seeking to qualify for the Champions League group stages in a fourth successive season for the very first time. However, in each of the previous three, the Celts have enjoyed direct entry into the competition, with their recent record in qualifiers truly miserable. The Hoops haven't successfully negotiated qualification since 2017, dumped out by AEK Athens, Cluj, Ferencváros and then Midtjylland in subsequent summers. They have come through all three previous ties against Kazakh clubs, ousting Shakhter Karagandy in 2013 and then Astana in both 2016 and the following year, but each of these victories required a home win, yet to claim victory in Kazakhstan, beaten there twice.
On Saturday, Brendan Rodgers' side continued their perfect start to the Premiership season by steamrollering Livingston 3-0; Benjamin Nygren scoring twice, before Johnny Kenny added the third. This though is the start of a crucial week for Celtic, with their place in the Champions League on the line, before the small matter of the first Old Firm of the season at Ibrox on Sunday. So, can the Celts make up for last Wednesday's dismal goalless stalemate by making it right a long way from home?
On the flip side, victory for Kairat would be the biggest in their 71 year history. Their Champions League campaign began back on 8 July, dumping out Olimpija Ljubljana, KuPS and Slovan Bratislava just to get this far, the latter a massive shock, prevailing on penalties at Národný futbalový štadión. In each round, Rafael Urazbakhtin's side have won the home leg without conceding, hoping that winning formulae works again. Should the prevail, it would be only the second time a Kazakh club has reached the Champions League group stages, after the aforementioned Astana achieved this a decade ago.
Kairat, for their part, are not dominant domestically, picking up only their fourth Kazakh title last year, the others coming in 1992, 2004 and 2020. In Europe, they've only ever qualified for one UEFA group stage too, failing to win a match in the Conference League four years ago. Their exploits this summer mean, at least, Kairat are guaranteed a spot in the Europa League, but are on the cusp of competing with Europe's elite in the Champions League. Almaty is located so far east that it is actually closer to Tokyo than Glasgow, east of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Mumbai. So, will home advantage count for Kairat, as they chase history, or will Celtic have a crucial win to celebrate on Tuesday?
Kairat vs Celtic head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 1.
- Kairat Wins: Zero. Draws: 1. Celtic Wins: Zero.
Kairat team news
In a huge blow to Kairat's hopes, teenaged striker Dastan Satpayev, who will join Chelsea next August, is suspended after picking up a completely needless yellow card in stoppage time in Glasgow.
In his absence, Brazilian striker Edmilson, who came extremely close to chipping Kasper Schmeichel from 30 yards last Wednesday, will lead the line. Lastly, in goal, Aleksandr Zarutskiy was forced off at Parkhead, the crowd infuriated as he certainly took his time. Deputy Temirlan Anarbekov came on but then suffered a head knock, needing to be taped up, but he is likely to be good to go here.
Kairat predicted lineup vs Celtic: (4-3-3): Anarbekov; Mrynskiy, Martynovich, Sorokin, Tapalov; Arad, Glazer, Gromyko, Jorginho, Ricardinho; Edmilson.
Kairat player to watch vs Celtic
Without Satpayev, Jorginho is Kairat's most-likely goal scorer. He's netted nine times since joining the club from Differdange in December, on target during the home wins over Olimpija Ljubljana and KuPS in previous rounds of the Champions League, so will he repeat the feat?
Celtic team news
As promised, Brendan Rodgers made wholesale changes against Livingston on Saturday, with Dane Murray, Hayato Inamura, Paulo Bernardo, Luke McCowan and Shin Yamada amongst those coming in. However, he will be without right-back Alistair Johnston, who's set to be sidelined for 12 weeks due to a hamstring tear suffered in the first leg, meaning Anthony Ralston will deputise.
In terms of other changes for last Wednesday, Adam Idah was hooked at half time, with Daizen Maeda moved centrally and Yang Hyun-jun on the left. The Irish international is really struggling for form, so could begin the night amongst the substitutes. Daizen Maeda scored 33 goals last season, but has just one to his name so far this campaign, so could a switch of position benefit him too?
Celtic predicted lineup vs Kairat: (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney; McGregor, Nygren, Hatate; Forrest, Yang Hyun-jun, Maeda.
Celtic player to watch vs Kairat
James Forrest will make his 119th appearance in UEFA competitions for the club, scoring eight times in Champions League qualifying to date. This includes bagging crucial goals against Shakhter Karagandy, Rosenborg and Astana, so could the 34 year old be the hero in Almaty?
Kairat vs Celtic prediction
We are, tentatively, backing Celtic to just get the job done in this second leg, although who knows? The tie could go either-way; Celtic certainly have more quality, but Kairat boast home advantage, albeit without their talisman, which might be the key factor for the Scottish side: Kairat 1-2 Celtic.
Kairat vs Celtic FAQs - UEFA Champions League
How to watch Kairat vs Celtic in the Champions League on TV channel?
Kairat vs Celtic in the Champions League will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video.
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Kairat vs Celtic in the Champions League on live streaming?
Kairat vs Celtic in the Champions League will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video.
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Kairat vs Celtic in the Champions League?
Kairat vs Celtic takes place on Tuesday 26 August 2025, with kick off at 17:45 (BST), 12:45 (EDT) & 9:45 (PDT).