Celtic may be forced into a gruelling journey to Kazakhstan just days before the season’s first Glasgow derby, after Kairat Almaty took a significant step towards the Champions League play-off round.
The Kazakh side edged a 1-0 win over 10-man Slovan Bratislava in Almaty on Tuesday night, with the only goal of the game coming from the penalty spot in the dying minutes. The second leg takes place next Tuesday in Slovakia, with the tie finely poised but Kairat now holding a narrow advantage.
🇰🇿 Dastan Satpaev (16) scores from the spot for FC Kairat against Slovan Bratislava in the UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round (1st leg).
Being trusted to take such a high-pressure penalty at just 16 says a lot about his character – the club clearly believes in him. pic.twitter.com/ZAwCar6Cvz— Kazakhstan Football Scout🇰🇿 (@scout_kazakh) August 6, 2025
Brendan Rodgers and his staff will be watching developments closely. Should Kairat progress, Celtic would be forced to make a 7,000-mile round trip to Central Asia just four days before they travel to Govan in a massive early-season derby.
That type of travel schedule is far from ideal, especially in a crucial part of the season where domestic momentum and European qualification are on the line. The logistics of the potential trip to Almaty, combined with the intensity of a Glasgow derby, make for a daunting scenario.
Celtic have already decided not to postpone the match sandwiched between the European games against Livingston.
Celtic will face whoever wins the tie, but the Kazakhs have the advantage after 90 minutes.
