Celtic head to Kazakhstan next Tuesday for the second leg of their Champions League qualifier, with Kairat Almaty striker Ricardinho saying his team are ready to make history.
The Hoops know a win will take them into the next round, but Ricardinho says the tie is still wide open. The 24-year-old, who played the full match in Glasgow, praised the occasion but thinks Kairat can do something special with a full stadium behind them.
Kairat have already beaten Slovan Bratislava in this campaign and are now aiming to take down an even bigger name. Ricardinho pointed out that the conditions in Kazakhstan will be different from what Celtic are used to, and could make things more difficult.
He also said that reaching the Champions League would mean everything for Kairat and for Kazakh football, and that their fans will have a big role to play in making it happen.
He said: (TCW), “I think the climate is a little bit different.
“We are very strong at home, our supporters make a lot of noise – maybe not the same as here at Celtic Park – but a good noise. So you can expect a big football club, and maybe a surprise. It is sold out, for sure. It will be a special night, and I hope that we can make history.
“(Playing at Celtic Park) was an amazing experience. I have played in a lot of championships, but this stadium and the Champions League are the best. It was amazing.
“It was a very good result, but we have one more game, and Celtic are a very, very good team. We need to be careful and play the game of our lives.
“It is very, very important for us (to qualify). We beat Slovan Bratislava in the last round, and it was a big thing.
“If we were to beat Celtic, it would be real history – it would be a much bigger result.”
Kairat will be hoping to use their home advantage and the long trip facing Celtic to swing things their way. Celtic have had tricky away ties in the past, where tough pitches and unfamiliar settings have caused problems.
Brendan Rodgers knows his players will need to be sharp and well organised in Kazakhstan. The home crowd will be loud, and Kairat will be full of belief, making it a tough test. Celtic have come through bigger challenges before, but nothing is guaranteed.
The team now turns their focus to what could be one of the key games of their season. A place in the Champions League, along with the big prize money that comes with it, is up for grabs on Tuesday night.
Celtic’s know-how in these situations will help, but Ricardinho’s message was clear. Kairat think they can cause an upset, and they’ll be doing everything to make it happen.
