Celtic have suffered a shock defeat within the Champions League with a play-off spherical exit to FC Kairat.
After 0-0 attracts in each legs, the Kazakh aspect gained 3-2 of their penalty shootout to qualify for the league section of the elite competitors for the primary time within the membership’s historical past.
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Kairat, who’re 311th within the UEFA membership rankings, will play Champions League soccer for the primary time of their 71-year historical past.
They appear set to be in pot 4 throughout Thursday’s league section draw.
Celtic had 22 pictures throughout the 2 legs however solely eight of these have been heading in the right direction because the Scottish giants struggled in entrance of purpose.
Daizen Maeda had a wonderful likelihood to attain the winner within the eighty fifth minute however blazed his effort over the bar.
He then missed his spot-kick within the shootout as Celtic crashed out of the Champions League.
Reacting to their defeat, talkSPORT’s Hugh Woozencroft posted on X and stated: “That is a horrific end result for all of Scottish soccer.
“£30million-ish going exterior the eco-system and to Kazakhstani soccer as a substitute. An enormous lesson for Celtic’s board – woeful, feeble recruitment.
“[Brendan, manager] Rodgers and the gamers have not been a lot better. Shambles.”
In the meantime, this Celtic fan stated: “With out being dramatic, that is the worst I’ve ever seen Celtic play in Europe.
One other added: “That is as dangerous a Celtic efficiency as you are ever more likely to see.”
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In the meantime, former Celtic participant Paul Lambert instructed talkSPORT: “The lads should not be shedding it, the followers will vent their anger to.
“As Brendan says, the board will get it and all people will get it from them, it is a actually demanding membership. While you play there, it’s a must to win, it would not matter the way you do it, it’s a must to win video games of soccer, that is the important thing to being a Celtic participant actually.
“And in case you do not do it, you’re feeling the wrath of it, as a result of that is what occurs in Glasgow, so I am certain Brendan and the board, they will talk about every little thing that is occurred and the gamers can be disenchanted with what’s occurred.
“I feel there will be the standard inquest. once you’re again in Glasgow, you will get about 5 weeks of individuals eager to have a go at them and that is regular in Glasgow, you simply need to put your head down and get on with it and try to win the following sport.”
Celtic set for Europa League soccer
Tuesday evening’s end result means Celtic will drop into the Europa League league section.
They performed within the Champions League through the previous three campaigns, and reached the knockout spherical play-offs final season.
However the Scottish Premiership leaders will as a substitute be within the Europa League draw on August 29.
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The defeat might also throw up questions on Rodgers’ future on the membership with the Northern Irishman within the last yr of his three-year deal anyway.
Rangers are the one Scottish aspect left with an opportunity of qualifying for the Champions League.
Nonetheless, they’re 3-1 all the way down to Membership Brugge forward of the second leg on Wednesday evening.
Ought to they be defeated, they will even drop into the Europa League.
And on Sunday, Rangers will host Celtic within the Outdated Agency derby, the place either side can be determined for the Glaswegian bragging rights.
