Success against Kairat Almaty would see Celtic qualify for the group/league stage of the Champions League for the fourth successive season, a feat never before achieved by the club. Before this successful run started in 2022, Celtic did not appear at the top table of European football for four years.
Those seven seasons have had one consistency about them: we get to the Champions League when the Scottish champions are granted a place automatically. When we have been asked to qualify, we found luminaries like AEK Athens, Midtjylland, Ferencvaros, and Cluj too much.
Indeed, the last side Celtic knocked out on their way to qualifying for the CL group stage came from… Kazakhstan. A bizarre 5-0 first leg win (we only had three attempts on target all night) in 2017 against Astana was enough to make the second leg a formality.
I don’t expect the Kazaks to be as generous tonight. They are midseason and have been hardened by three earlier rounds against the Solvenian, Slovakian and Finnish champions. Slovan Bratislava were expected to have enough to see Kairat off in the last round, but a dogged determination to defend a slender 1-0 home leg saw the underdogs prosper.
Resource-wise, this is a no-contest. Transfermarkt have Kairat’s squad value comfortably below that of Aberdeen, Hibs and Hearts and under 10% that of Celtic. They are led by a man with less than a year’s experience in his first managerial role; the comparison with Brendan could hardly be more stark. But still, this is Champions League qualification, and you and I have too many scars to take it lightly.
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TBB, Good summary
C’MON THE CELTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope Nygren plays tonight.
Like the look of him and he is a big unit.
Not lacking in confidence and appears to be enjoying his football.
What’s not to like?
Is it time for a beer?
See ya later!
Maloney or Kennedy next year…. how does that sound boardroom pals?
I watched the Kairat game against Slovan Bratislava. The very pedestrian Slovan managed to carve them open loads of times. I don’t think this is proper CL opposition we’re up against tonight so a defeat over the two legs would be pretty grim. That said, Kairat have a 17 year old attacker, Satpaev, who’s already been bought by Chelsea – he’ll move over when he turns 18.
Dipped into to thems media.
Couple of comments about surrendering their penalty area. Oooh, the irony.
What if we win the tie with those Celtic players in the line-up. Will you be disappointed? I will be delighted for them and the rest of the players for earning the right to once again represent us in the Champions League.
I know it’s frustrating that we haven’t got the squad settled for the season yet, but there’s plenty of history to suggest there’s nothing unusual there. We’ll be fine, and Brendan is going nowhere.
Oops – That last message was for T7
onenightinlisbon on 20th August 2025 3:28 pm
Maloney or Kennedy next year…. how does that sound boardroom pals?
*more chance it will be Kennedy and Maloney as after all it was Big John who took us to leith and swinecastle for our first 2 games after the fraud had did a moonlight, before lenny had time to get his feet in the door, we got 2 wins there which led us to another double and enroute to another honest niar
who would you start tonight? There are probably 3 positions where there is no clear cut pick and one where there should be but neither player is showing any form.
Scales or Trusty? Engels or Nygren? JF or Yang? Idah or Kenny?
I think BR will start with Scales, Engels, Yang and Idah.
I would go with Trusty, Nygren, JF and Idah.
Not a great deal of difference in quality whichever options he chooses. I think our goals will come from the midfield players tonight. Hatate and Calmac specials would be nice.
Maybe its Rodgers turn to throw a League title to the dead Huns?
Just because….
Then they’ll bring Ange back to keep the Old Firm flag flying high, because its his turn next season to throw another League to the Huns?
Just because……
Then Broony[10 in a row snake eye turn] the following season?
Just because…..
If the PLC can get “Legends” like Neil Lennon and Scott Brown to play at the daft erses as 10 in a row goes up in smoke in front of their couldny care less, AT IT, eyes….then rule nothing out!
Maybe the Lobby have ordered the PLC to destroy Celtic FC from within? For their anty symitry?
Just like the Lobby are destroying EVERY Western country from within, thanks to all of the carefully planted Friends of Genocide Guvernments?
What a time to be alive!
Tillio to Rapid Vienna, done,permanent deal
So,Balikwisha,the boy we have been tracking since January,deal agreed.
Not like us to act so quickly. 🤔🤔
Team I’d like but won’t get –
Schmeichel
Johnston, CCV, Scales, KT
Engels, Calmac, Hatate
Nygren, Idah, Maeda
Tontine Tim on 20th August 2025 4:23 pm
Not sure that would be welcomed by the vast majority of the support …
Paul The Spark on 20th August 2025 1:01 pm
I think it’s pretty obvious that Brendan won’t be here next season. He looks scunnered with all the transfer nonsense and probably doesn’t have energy to go through it all again. It will be interesting to see how all his detractors polish the turd when we announce some obscure manager to replace him next year.
They are in the house already – Kennedy and Maloney. or Maloney and Kennedy.
Downsizing AGAIN.
Turkeybhoy on 20th August 2025 4:35 pm
So, Balikwisha, the boy we have been tracking since January, deal agreed. Not like us to act so quickly.
*I think that you will find out that it was Standard Liege, his original club, who were holding the deal up due to a selling on clause that they had with Royal Antwerp
onenightinlisbon on 20th August 2025 4:43 pm
Tontine Tim on 20th August 2025 4:23 pm
Not sure that would be welcomed by the vast majority of the support …
*whit the ones that actually go tae gemmes or the hunterlopers on here
BSR I’m fine with that team but I think Brendan will want Jamesies pace so the only question is Engles or Nygren. I also think he has to play Idah, if he doesn’t start tonight his career at Celtic is done.
Tontine Tim on 20th August 2025 4:45 pm
Seriously?
After Rodgers we roll out Kennedy….get a grip. LOL
As Balikwisha’s preferred position is left wing, Maeda may get more games up front – something he said he wants ahead of the World Cup.
Nygren on the left (he has played as a winger) and Maeda as CF. Jamesie on the right.
Idah on the bench.
Skoosh or Brownie as BR’s calls him , trying to get Donovan before Presley
MNCELT, of course I won’t be disappointed. This is too important.
I’m surprised at your conviction on Brendan. Personally I think he’ll be gone in the summer.
TIMMY7_NOTED on 20TH AUGUST 2025 4:46 PM
BSR I’m fine with that team but I think Brendan will want Jamesies pace so the only question is Engles or Nygren. I also think he has to play Idah, if he doesn’t start tonight his career at Celtic is done.
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Unleash wee Jamesie 💨💨💨💨 not only will Adam Idah start he’ll score, like he did in Aston. 👍
I hope the board make the right decision . Spend money on the team or spend money on an armed guard for getting in and out the stadium and some bullet/brick/Buckie bottle -proof glass for round the directors box -)))
DENIABHOY@4.50
Good call . Might be the inducement Daizen needs to sign that contract as well .
glendalystonsils on 20th August 2025 5:00 pm
I hope the board make the right decision . Spend money on the team or spend money on an armed guard for getting in and out the stadium and some bullet/brick/Buckie bottle -proof glass for round the directors box -)))
*change fae the mars bars, then I suppose we were more civilised or felt less entitled to.
TONTINE
If we chucked mars bars at the directors box , the skinflints would just gather them up and re sell them !-)))))
timmy7_noted on 20th August 2025 4:54 pm
“MNCELT, of course I won’t be disappointed. This is too important.
I’m surprised at your conviction on Brendan. Personally I think he’ll be gone in the summer.”
%
Where will Brendan go to?
Epl clubs all know that Brendan an Ange, from the Scottish one horse league, are far too risky and put their own shop window egos First, before whatever club they are at.
Brendan got Leicester relegated and Ange took Spurs to the bottom of Epl, so nobody is likely to take the risk.
Shortbread seems to be preparing the ground for Russell Martin to be sacked already. Quite a bampot of a club that will never give any manager the time to improve them. Great stuff!
Maeda through the middle tonight, Idah is…………. , blankety blank
Yang and Forrest wide men
I’m reading that BALIKWISHA’S MEDICAL was CANCELLED ?
Don’t shoot the messenger.
HH.
Peter Grant[2 titles out of 14] and he is the resident expert on Celtic TV. PG provides a wee halftime break from the “Victims R Us” commentator, insufferable commentator, and Rangers 9 in a row, rubber stamper, PG, fits the Celtic TV image perfectly.
https://www.67hailhail.com/news/im-not-being-funny-peter-grant-tells-liam-scales-why-he-will-play-more-for-celtic-in-the-champions-league/
What a time to be alive!
BIG JIMMY on 20TH AUGUST 2025 5:28 PM
I’m reading that BALIKWISHA’S MEDICAL was CANCELLED ?
Don’t shoot the messenger.
HH.
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The time it’s taken for him to get over the line he could have been signed, rejected and out on loan by now 👍
DeniaBhoy on 20th August 2025 4:50 pm
As Balikwisha’s preferred position is left wing, Maeda may get more games up front – something he said he wants ahead of the World Cup.
….or sold…