Glasgow Live | Celtic look to move closer to League Phase of Champions League
Celtic v Kairat live text commentary
Celtic look to take a giant step to the league phase of the Champions League
Author | Sean M
Full-time
A disappointing first-leg showing from Brendan Rodgers’ side. Kairat had never won away in a Champions League qualifier and that record remains, but this is nonetheless a fine result for the champions of Kazakhstan. More reaction to come on European Super Football which includes a full match report.
Celtic turn to the bench again
Auston Trusty and Shin Yamada come on for Kieran Tierney and Benjamin Nygren. Liam Scales shifts across to left-back, with Daizen Maeda returning to his usual role on the left.
A Stoppages disrupting flow of the game
The flow of the match is being broken up, leaving the contest increasingly disjointed. Celtic will be desperate to find a breakthrough, with a goal potentially crucial ahead of the demanding away trip for the second leg.

A Celtic sub is having an impact
In just nine minutes on the pitch, Yang Hyun-Jun has already managed three touches inside the Kairat box. Adam Idah, who was replaced at half-time, failed to register a single one in the first half.
Half-time
Celtic have managed 71% possession but are still without a shot on target. Andy C has perhaps summed it up: "That was not good enough. We need to improve and quickly."
The referee becomes busy
Kieran Tierney and Kairat’s Glazer are both shown yellow after a tangle at a corner, the referee quick to clamp down on the confrontation.
Disallowed goal
Kairat find the net, but Celtic are spared by the offside flag. Edmilson makes the initial contact from the cross and the captain forces it home, only to be caught marginally the wrong side. Another warning.
11' - ❌ Kairat have the ball in the net, but the flag goes up for offside.
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 20, 2025
🟩0️⃣-0️⃣🟨#CelticKairat | #UCL | #CelticFC🍀
Kairat have started well
There has been some early concerns for Celtic. Edmilson rises at the back post, but his close-range header is inadvertently blocked by Kieran Tierney. The resulting corner poses no further threat.
And we're off
The Champions League anthem rings out, met by a thunderous roar from the east end of Glasgow. The crowd are fully engaged. The question is whether the players are. Time for kick-off.
Manager comments
Amongst other things, the Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has told the media: "The first leg is always important. When we’ve qualified and had success before, it has been on the back of a strong first leg, so that’s the plan this evening."
Team News
Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney, McGregor, Hatate, Nygren, Forrest, Maeda, Idah.
Subs: Sinisalo, Simpson-Pusey, Trusty, Yang, McCowan, Yamada, Osmand, Kenny, Engels, Murray, Ralston.
Kairat: Zarutskiy, Jorginho, Satpaev, Martynovich, Arad, Glazer, Tapalov, Mrynskiy, Edmilson, Gromkyo, Sorokin.
Subs: Anarbekov, Kalmurza, Kassabulat, Kurgin, Sadybekov, Baibek, Shirobokov, Stanojev, Gadrani, Bagdat, Ricardinho.

Pre match build up
One Celtic fan outside the ground has told us: "There’s definitely a bit of tension around here tonight. We should win this but you can often get some strange results at this stage of the season, especially in the Champions League."
Celtic look to carry on winning start to the campaign
Despite not always looking at their absolute best, Celtic have started the season well and have won all their competitive matches.
This is their most important assignment so fat though. Unlike their Glasgow rivals, this does look a significantly easier task than the faced at Ibrox last night.

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