Celtic’s hopes of returning to the Champions League group stage were shattered after a dramatic penalty shootout defeat against Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan. Following 210 goalless minutes across two legs, the Scottish champions fell short from the spot, with three attempts denied by rookie goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov, who emerged as the unlikely hero of the night.
The result means Celtic must settle for Europa League football this season, missing out on the prestige and financial windfall that Champions League qualification would have delivered. The club’s decision to delay major transfer moves until qualification was secured is now under scrutiny, as supporters voiced fresh frustrations at a lack of reinforcements. The loss also raises questions over Brendan Rodgers’ second spell in charge, with his side failing to find fluency or cutting edge in either leg of the tie.
In Almaty, Celtic struggled against a high-energy opponent, creating very few chances in regulation time. James Forrest forced an early save, while Callum McGregor and Daizen Maeda each spurned opportunities to put the visitors ahead. Maeda, in particular, was left rueing a golden chance in extra time when he broke clear but failed to apply a composed finish.
Kasper Schmeichel, brought in to provide experience in goal, could do little to alter the outcome as Anarbekov, standing in for Kairat’s injured first-choice keeper, produced decisive saves in the shootout. Adam Idah, Luke McCowan, and Maeda all saw their penalties stopped, sealing Celtic’s fate.
For Rodgers and his players, the disappointment was clear. The manager admitted his side had not shown their best across the two games and stressed the importance of regrouping quickly ahead of a crucial Old Firm derby against Rangers. Captain Callum McGregor echoed the sentiment, acknowledging that at this level, even the slightest drop in performance can prove fatal.
The defeat is particularly bitter given Celtic’s strong domestic form and last season’s progress beyond the Champions League group stage. Instead of another crack at Europe’s elite, the club faces a much less lucrative Europa League campaign. For Kairat Almaty, meanwhile, the night will be remembered as historic, as they became only the second Kazakh club to reach the Champions League group stage, following in the footsteps of Astana a decade earlier.
