Celtic’s route to the Champions League group stage has been confirmed – and it’s a brutal one. The Hoops will face Kazakh side Kairat Almaty in the play-off round, with a gruelling travel schedule thrown into the mix just days before the first Glasgow derby of the season.

Kairat edged through their third-round tie against Slovan Bratislava on penalties, winning 3-4 in Slovakia after the tie finished level on aggregate. The result means Brendan Rodgers’ men must make the 12-hour journey to Kazakhstan for the second leg – a trip notorious for testing teams physically and mentally.

Celtic last time in Kazakhstan 

The first leg will take place at Celtic Park on Wednesday, 20 August, with the decisive return match in Almaty scheduled for Tuesday, 26 August. That leaves Celtic less than five days to recover before heading across the city to face Rangers at Ibrox in a match that could shape the early title race.

The fixture scheduling is far from ideal. The long-haul travel, different time zones, and intense heat in Kazakhstan can sap energy – something Celtic have experienced before in European away days to the far east of the continent. The timing also puts added pressure on squad depth, which has been a growing concern for fans this summer.

Despite the high stakes, reinforcements in the transfer market have been slow to materialise. Supporters are acutely aware that missing out on the Champions League proper – and the lucrative league phase – is unthinkable for the club’s finances and ambitions. However, with the domestic showdown looming, Rodgers will need every ounce of focus and rotation planning to navigate both challenges.

Celtic Champions League Playoff Facts

• Home Fortress – Celtic have only lost once in 10 Champions League play-off home legs at Celtic Park (2-0 v Malmö, 2015).

• Kazakhstan Record – Unbeaten against Kazakh sides (Astana), with 3 wins and 1 draw, scoring 13 and conceding 3.

• Biggest Win – A 5-0 home leg over Astana in 2017 led to their biggest play-off aggregate victory (8-4).

• High-Scoring Edge – Celtic have scored 3+ goals in over half of their Champions League play-off home matches.

Celtic will be desperate to make home advantage count in the first leg, setting up a platform to finish the job in Almaty. Anything less could leave the Hoops facing a dangerous uphill battle in one of football’s most awkward away assignments.