Rodgers says Celtic 'have to win' in Kazakhstan
Champions League play-off: Kairat v Celtic (agg 0-0)
Venue: Central Stadium, Almaty Date: Tuesday, 26 August Time: 17:45 BST
Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Scotland Extra & Sounds, live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has urged his players not to "worry about failing" in Tuesday's decisive Champions League play-off match against Kairat in Almaty.
The sides are locked at 0-0 going into the return leg in Kazakhstan following last week's first game in Glasgow.
Celtic have featured in the group stage or league phase of the past three Champions League tournaments, but did not have to play qualifiers or play-offs in those campaigns.
Rodgers' side earned a reported £38m, external from last season's run to the round of 16.
"I don't need to explain it," said Rodgers.
"Don't worry about failing, worry about performance. If you think so much of the consequence, it can paralyse you."
Rodgers dismissed any suggestion he had underestimated Kairat and insists "there's no excuse for us" regarding the arduous 3,500-mile journey.
"We always respect every opponent," said Rodgers. "We knew they were going to be a good side and hard to beat.
"We know they are really hard to beat, hard to break down and it's up to us to impose our game. We never disrespect or underestimate any team.
"We have to play our game, play the football that we've played in a lot of the league games this year. If we take that into the game, then we've got a fantastic chance of qualification.
"They had the same journey going the other way so that won't be an excuse for us.
"We have to perform and that's all we're focused on. I'm excited for us to play in a pressure game, knowing that we have to win. That's what we want."
Winger Marco Tilio has left Celtic to join Rapid Vienna and Rodgers revealed "there might be" movement into the club later in the week.
"By the time we get back, we'll be close to one or two things," he said.
Team news
Celtic right-back Alastair Johnston is out for around 12 weeks while defender Auston Trusty has also not travelled as he has a plantar fascia issue.
Forward Adam Idah missed the weekend win over Livingston but has made the trip to south-east Kazakhstan.
What they said
Kairat manager Rafael Urazbakhtin: "Celtic players may have underestimated us at home. Now they will look at our game in a different way. They will have a different motivation and attitude. Yes, there is a negative atmosphere around Celtic. They are used to dealing with such issues.
"They understand that everything depends on them. We also think that everything depends on us. I don't think there is a bigger pressure on Celtic than on our home team. We will try to meet them and qualify for the group stage. And our task is to make it happen, to do everything we can.
"Celtic is a very good team. It's a top-class team. Any player who is in there is a big threat to us. We shouldn't concentrate on just one player. We will try to pay attention to everyone. We consider the whole team."
Celtic defender Liam Scales: "It's where we want to be. We want to play at the highest level. A lot of us have experienced that in the last couple of years. We know what's at stake. Every team at this level is going to be good. We knew what was expected."
An arduous trip worth the making?
BBC Scotland's Brian McLauchlin on his journey to Kazakhstan
With few, if any, direct flights to Almaty from the UK, this was always going to be a long and tiring journey for any Celtic fan looking to follow their team as they seek another Champions League campaign.
Various routes, however, can be found. Frankfurt from either Edinburgh or Glasgow is one of those paths, before flying direct to Almaty with a total flight time of around 10 hours.
I travelled from Edinburgh via Istanbul, and after a three-hour stop over, it was off to Almaty. All in, the travel time was around 15 hours with arrival at 03:40 local time.
The temperatures during the day are mid 30s, hence the reason kick-off on Tuesday night is 21:45 to ensure the heat will have somewhat relented before the first whistle is blown.
The stadium capacity is about 23,000, and tickets were snapped up in just over an hour given the enormity of this game for Kairat.
Only a few hundred Celtic fans have made the near 8,500-mile round trip. A long way to come, but well worth it if Celtic are to make it through to the Champions League proper.
