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:
9. Cameron Carter-Vickers - Celtic - RETURN TO STARTING XI?
Left out of the squad completely on Friday, he will almost certainly return for Wednesday's huge game at Celtic Park. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group