Celtic will aim to book their place in the 2025/26 Champions League as they make the 7000 mile journey to Kazakhstan to face Kairat Almaty in the second leg of the competition’s qualifying playoff at the Ortalyq stadıon on Tuesday (kick-off: 5.45pm).
Brendan Rodgers’ side must emerge victorious in southeast Kazakhstan after drawing last week’s first leg 0-0 at Celtic Park, though they will have been boosted by their comfortable 3-0 weekend win over Livingston in the Scottish Premiership.
As for the hosts, Kairat Almaty, they enter the crucial clash with fresh legs having not played in the Kazakhstan Premier League this weekend, though they have been dealt a huge blow with the news that up to four first-team players could miss the game through injury and suspension.
Ahead of the game at the Ortalyq stadıon, The Scotsman has all the latest team news:
5. Giorgi Zaria - Kairat Almaty - OUT
Missed last week's first leg due to injury and remains unavailable. | Getty Images
6. Aleksandr Zarutskiy - Kairat Almaty - OUT
Suffered an ankle injury during the first leg, and was substituted in the 75th minute. Reports indicate he is unlikely to recover in time for the second leg, with 21-year-old Temirlan Anarbekov expected to start in goal. | Getty Images
7. Alistair Johnston - Celtic - OUT
Out with the hamstring he picked up and last week's first leg, and is ruled out for the foreseeable future. Expected to be out for 12 weeks, as per a recent update from head coach Brendan Rodgers. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
8. Adam Idah - Celtic - DOUBT
Missed Saturday's 3-0 win over Livingston with a knee injury, and is now a doubt for the clash for the second-leg against Kairat in Kazakhstan on Tuesday night. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group