Rafael Urazbakhtin, Head Coach of Kairat Almaty, has named his starting XI to take on Celtic in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League playoff at the Ortalyk Stadion in Almaty…
Rafael Urazbakhtin is without his main striker, his team’s superstar and his first pick goalkeeper this evening, so it’s clearly a weakened Kairat Almaty side Celtic are facing tonight.
Anarbekov is in goals and the back four from right to left are Mrynskiy, Sorokin, Martynovich and Luis Mata. In midfield, D.Glazer, Tapalov and Arad all start with a front three for Kairat Almaty consisting of Gromyko, Jorginho and Ricardinho.
On the bench for the hosts are the two goalkeepers Reimov and Kalmurza and the outfield players are Kassabulat, Kurgin, Sadybekov, Baiilbek, Shirobokov, Stanojev, Gadrani, Bekbolat, Turakbayev and Bagdat.
Please note that their top player Satpayev is suspended after picking up a late caution at Celtic Park last Wednesday night.
Kick-off is fast approaching at 5.45pm and the build-up on Amazon Prime, who are showing the game live and exclusive in Britain and Ireland starts at 5.15pm.
Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers exchanges words with Valeri Gromyko of Kairat Almaty Celtic v Kairat Almaty, UEFA Champions League, Play-Off Round, First Leg, Football, Celtic Park on 20 August 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace, IMAGO/Shutterstock
A reminder of the Celtic team news below…
Brendan Rodgers has named his Celtic team to take on Kairat Almaty in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League at the Ortalyk Stadion in Almaty this evening. It’s a winner takes all contest and the prize money at stake is a guaranteed £40m for the Hoops IF they can get past the Champions of Kazakhstan.
The tie is evenly matched at the moment after a goalless draw at Celtic Park last Wednesday night and Celtic need to make it fourth time lucky playing in Kazakhstan having
failed to win in the three previous visits.
The dressing room is set… 👊#KairatCeltic | #UCL | #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/nhJGGItRXM
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 26, 2025
Kasper Schmeichel will be looking at keeping a clean sheet this evening and has a strong back four in front of him. Anthony Ralston comes in for the injury Alistair Johnston at right-back while Kieran Tierney plays on the left of the Celtic defence with a centre-back pairing of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales.
Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel celebrates with Benjamin Nygren of Celtic at full-time. Nygren score 2 of Celtic’s 3 goals. Final score Celtic 3 Livingston 0. Celtic v Livingston, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 23 August 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock
The Celtic captain Callum McGregor is joined in the middle of the park by Reo Hatate and Benjamin Nygren while the front three sees James Forrest and Yang on the wings and Daizen Maeda returning to his favoured position as centre-forward.
On the bench for Celtic this evening are Sinisalo, Doohan, Simpson- Pusey, Idah, McCowan, Shin, Osmand, Kenny, Engels, Bernardo Murray and Donovan.
Benjamin Nygren celebrates scoring during Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park on August 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The Celtic manager is of course Brendan Rodgers.
Kick-off is at 5.45pm Celtic Park Time and the match is exclusively live in Britain and Ireland on Amazon Prime with the build-up to kick-off starting a 5.15pm.
An absolutely huge match for Celtic, one we simply must win. Let’s do it Bhoys!
Incidentally temperature at the stadium is a pleasant 23 degrees so there is no real issue with the heat for the Celtic players.
COYBIG!
📋 Team news for #KairatCeltic
Here’s how Celtic line up…
#UCL | #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/CUYRtSwcxf
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 26, 2025
Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Foreword by Danny McGrain. Published on Celtic Star Books on 5 September 2025. Click on image to pre-order.
Help raise funds for Celtic Youth Academy by playing the Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery and you could win up to £25,000. The lottery is £1 per week. Click on image to join.
