Celtic will aim to take a huge leap towards qualification for the 2025/26 Champions League as they welcome Kairat Almaty in the first leg of the qualifying playoff to Celtic Park on Wednesday (kick-off: 8pm).
Brendan Rodgers’ side continued their 100 per cent start to the new season as they beat Falkirk 4-1 in the Premier Sports Cup on Friday evening, with Daizen Maeda, Alistair Johnston, Dane Murray and a Liam Henderson own goal sealing a comfortable passage through to the quarter-final stage.
As for their visitors Kairat Almat, they arrive in Glasgow on the back of a damaging weekend defeat in the Kazakhstan Premier League, after losing to FK Yelimay Semey at home, despite taking an early 2-0 lead. A double from Brazilian striker Edmilson had put them into a comfortable lead. The away side halved the deficit in first-half injury-time thanks to an own goal from Ofri Arad, before Togolese forward Euloge Placca hit two late goals to complete a remarkable turnaround.
Ahead of the game at Celtic Park, The Scotsman has all the latest team news:
1. Adam Idah - Celtic - RETURN TO STARTING XI?
The Republic of Ireland international is in line for a return to the Celtic starting XI after being rested against Falkirk. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
2. Hayato Inamura - Celtic - INELIGIBLE
The summer signing has been linked with a loan departure, and those rumours have ramped up after he was left out of Celtic's squad for the Champions League playoff. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
3. Valery Gromyko - Kairat Almaty - SUSPENDED
Will miss the first leg against Celtic with a one game suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards. | Getty Images
4. Yegor Sorokin - Kairat Almaty - DOUBT
Expected to be available after Visa issues last week, though it was pending a 'final approval' according to reports in recent days, meaning he is a slight doubt for the tie. | Getty Images