Celtic

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Kairat Almaty head coach Rafael Urazbakhtin insists his side won't be intimated by the Celtic Park atmosphere, with the game approaching a 60,000 sell-out.

Kazakhstan has only been represented once in the group stage by Astana in 2015-16, and Celtic have previously overcome Shakhter Karagandy and Astana at the same stage.

"I don't think our players have to be specially motivated," Urazbakhtin said.

"We have seasoned players who have played big matches also in similar arenas. They have also represented their national teams so I don't see that they need any additional preparation.

"When it comes to the atmosphere we understand Celtic will have all this support from their fans. It will be challenging but we are ready to show our best qualities so let's see what happens."

The match involves a 7,000-mile round trip for the away team and Celtic are eager to make home advantage count before they do the same trip for next Tuesday's second leg.

"Yes, we understand Celtic will have a long-haul flight and they will maybe try to use their opportunity here," the Kairat boss added.

"When it comes to us, it's been a long fight. It took us more than 11 hours to fly to Glasgow but I don't think we will actually consider the flights and the logistics for these matches. It is what it is. There's no point talking about it.

"We just need to bite the bullet and adjust to the situation. We came beforehand and managed to get our rest. We won't be jet-lagged and the team will be in the best condition."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Callum McGregor accepts Celtic must "keep progressing" - but the captain says it is also important the club adopts a quality-over-quanity approach to recruitment.

Despite supporter unrest about a lack of summer signings, the midfielder believes the current crop of players are more than good enough to take their place once again in the Champions League.

Speaking before the first leg of Celtic's play-off with Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan, the former Scotland international said: "Everyone is impatient in football. Everyone wants the next new shiny thing.

"We have to keep progressing and add quality, not just numbers just for the sake of it. The guys that are here, we have to trust them as well.

"We have full belief that with concentration and respect, we will have enough to qualify."

McGregor feels the side have "good momentum" at this early period in the season, having won all three of their games so far.

The captain says he's looking forward to the challenge of the Champions League play-offs, which feel like a bit of a novelty given the club have not had to qualify for the past couple few seasons.

McGregor is looking for more "control" in comparison to the qualifiers he has experienced in the past, particularly the 8-4 aggregate win over Astana, which was the last time Celtic faced Kazakh opposition.

"You feel you have to win by four or five at home to give yourself a chance," he adds. "Can we control the tie over two legs so it doesn't become chaos? Can we be more solid and not give up chances?

"We don't need a big scoreline [at home] if we bring our own style and can be more controlled."

McGregor made the point that the core of the Celtic team has been together for a while now and has achieved some good European results, which will stand them in good stead for a crucial two-legged play-off.

"It's massive," the 32-year-old said. "When the club makes the Champions League, everyone gets a bounce off it.

"It really sets you up and has a real feel-good factor, so there's a lot riding on these games."

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to face Kairat Almaty in Wednesday night's Champions League play-off first leg.

Here are the main points:

• Rodgers declined to elaborate on reports that his former striker at Leicester, Jamie Vardy, is keen to reunite with the Northern Irishman at Celtic.

• The Celtic boss says he won't speak about an "individual player" but admits he "worked well with Jamie" during his time at Leicester.

• Rodgers admits he doesn't know whether the club is waiting to see what European competition it's playing in before bringing in the new signings he needs.

• He did, however, add that he's assuming no more players will arrive in time for the play-off matches with Kairat Almaty.

• Rodgers knows his side are "going into games that mean everything" but stresses "if we don't have it within the building now, we have to work with what's here".

• The manager says he's "confident" the current squad is good enough to get past the Kazakh champions and qualify for the league phase, which Rodgers says Celtic would "have to improve the squad" for.

• Rodgers was also asked if the club is "world class in the transfer market", to which he replied: "I don't know about world class... we just want to be in the best place possible."

• Rodgers added that he doesn't "want a situation where I look frustrated or am frustrated" as the "emotional transfer" of that can affect players.

• Asked about the absence of recent signing Hayato Inamura from both the domestic and European squads, Rodgers says the 23-year-old's defensive qualities are not yet where they need to be.

• The example Rodgers cited was he wouldn't be able to pitch Inamura in against someone like Lamine Yamal.

Tino
Fan writer

After weeks of relentless speculation, and with tomorrow night's first leg against Kairat Almaty now just over 24 hours away, we finally have clarity - Celtic have decided to hold off on any big-money signings this summer until Champions League qualification has been secured.

With an estimated £40m at stake, it's a high-risk strategy. Success could mean smart, calculated business. Failure could leave the squad exposed, and the fans frustrated.

The logic behind waiting is possibly understandable from a financial perspective. Why commit huge sums before knowing what level of European tournament we'll be competing at? Yet it's equally clear that this is an approach which sits uneasily with both the manager and the supporters.

Brendan Rodgers, who has consistently pushed for squad reinforcements, would surely prefer the certainty of early signings. Fans too are left pacing nervously, wondering whether the club is truly acting like the ambitious, top-tier outfit it aspires to be.

In a season where every competitive edge counts, is this caution really justified, or is it simply creating unnecessary tension? One can't help but question the wisdom of this strategy.

If the intention is to keep Rodgers content in the hope of securing a contract extension, the method seems counterintuitive. Managers thrive on clarity and support, and a delay in strengthening the squad risks sending mixed signals at a critical time.

For a club of Celtic's stature, fostering anxiety among the fans and uncertainty within the dressing room feels frankly like a very avoidable misstep. Still, following Celtic is about so much more than questioning boardroom decisions (we hope!). Tomorrow night offers a chance to focus on what matters most - the game.

A full Celtic Park will be buzzing as the Bhoys aim to lay the groundwork for a commanding lead ahead of the return leg in Kazakhstan next week. The Champions League dream is on the line, and for now at least, that's where our attention should be focussed.

Tino can be found at The Celtic Exchange, external

Former Leicester City and England striker Jamie Vardy has his "heart set" on a move to Celtic and a reunion with Brendan Rodgers as he targets playing on until he is 40. (Sun), external

Feyenoord attacker Calvin Stengs, 26, is of interest to Celtic. (Daily Record), external

Dundee have held talks with Celtic over a loan deal for Colby Donovan, while Ayr United are also interested in the 18-year-old right-back. (Daily Record), external

Celtic are likely to bank a seven-figure sum from former player Ben Doak's move from Liverpool to Bournemouth. (Sun), external

Inverness Caledonian Thistle have been in talks with Celtic regarding a possible cooperation agreement this season. (Inverness Courier), external

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Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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It's been 202 days since Kyogo Furuhashi left Celtic for Ligue 1 side Rennes and the Glasgow club are still struggling to replace him up front.

The Japanese striker netted 85 goals in his 165 appearances for Celtic, while assisting 19 more.

Adam Idah joined from Norwich City last summer after a loan spell the season before, but has struggled for consistency in green and white and is yet to score this term.

Shin Yamada and Callum Osmand have singed this summer from Kawasaki Frontale and Fulham, respectively. Yamada has only played 24 minutes of league football and came on as a substitute in the League Cup victory over Falkirk, while Osmand looks some way off first-team football.

Of the seven goals Celtic have scored so far this season, none have come from a striker.

Luke McCowan secured a late victory on the opening day against St Mirren while fellow midfielders Benjamin Nygren and Reo Hatate got the goals against Aberdeen.

Against Falkirk, defenders Alistair Johnston and Dane Murray, alongside winger Daizen Maeda got the goals, with Falkirk defender Liam Henderson also putting through his own goal.

Although Maeda has had some success playing through the middle for Celtic, Rodgers has opted for Idah and Johnny Kenny in that position so far this term.

While the goals being spread across the team is a positive signs for Celtic, it's undoubtedly worrying that their striking options are yet to fire, particularly when full-backs Johnston and Kieran Tierney are averaging nine passes into the final third per game.

With just two weeks left of the Scottish transfer window, it will be intriguing to see if Rodgers manages to bring in another option up front.

Celtic-linked striker Giuseppe Ambrosino will remain at Napoli until the seriousness of Romelu Lukaku's injury is determined. (Arena Napoli via Il Mattino - in Italian), external

Read the rest of Monday's Scottish gossip.

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Alistair Johnston has urged his team-mates to "keep pushing" and "not waste a single minute" in the first leg of Celtic's Champions League play-off against Kairat Almaty on Wednesday.

The right-back outlined the challenges of the travel for the second leg which involves a 7,000-mile round trip to Kazakhstan.

"It's massive," said Johnston. "I've talked to the guys that played another team from Kazakhstan, Astana, a few years back and had a pretty comfortable lead going into that second leg, and before you know it, it can get really difficult out there.

"The travel, the time change, it's not an easy away day at all.

"You need to make sure you're taking full advantage at home when you have the conditions in your favour and have the crowd on our side.

"That's something that I don't think is lost on us, being at home first. That's going to be something in the mentality where, if you get one, you've got to keep pushing and keep pushing. It's going to have to be the full 90 minutes and don't waste a single minute of it."

Canada international Johnston drew on his experience for travelling on international duty and said: "It's not fun, I'll tell you that much, it's pretty brutal.

"It will be a bit of an eye-opener, I guess, for some of the European boys who are used to their camps being a little hour, two-hour flight away.

"When you're crossing an ocean or five to eight hours of time zones, it really adds up and makes it difficult. We've had some travel days that have probably added up to about 24 hours."

The 26-year-old scored in Celtic's 4-1 win against Falkirk in the Scottish League Cup with a left-footed finish past former team-mate Scott Bain.

He added: "It was kind of just a left-foot swing of the pendulum, I think I caught Bainy by surprise because I don't think I've ever actually taken a shot with my left foot before.

"I'll definitely be giving him a little bit because he deserves it. He was having a go at my garden, saying that my grass was all patchy, and he's right. I know he's got a great garden, so we have a little bit of a thing going on there, me and him."

We asked for your views after Celtic being their Premier Sports Cup defence with a 4-1 win over Falkirk.

Here are some of your comments:

Hector: The first XI and nine reserves in this match prove that Celtic are not short of talented players. No more signings are necessary. Rodgers need to learn how to rotate the squad and vary formations properly.

Gavin: If we are talking strikers, let's not go backwards and get Jamie Vardy… what's the point of having a business model, and then papering over the short-term cracks? Plenty up-and-coming strikers around, get the money spent Celtic.

Tom: A very easy win for a experimental Celtic team. But need a big striker for Europe and Adam Idah is not the answer.

Helen: Celtic may well be playing with intent and quality, but they really need to secure a strong, consistent goalscorer if they mean business this season.

Patrick: Another good performance from Kieran Tierney, great to have him back. A few slack passes in the first half nearly caused us problems but overall nothing too much to worry about. Good win, good goals.

Fergus: Rodgers should abandon his fixed and predictable 4-3-3 formation and walking-football tactics, and unleash the full potential of the players already at the club.

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers claimed the sky is the limit for Dane Murray after the centre-back celebrated his new contract with a maiden goal in first-team football.

The 22-year-old headed home Celtic's third goal from an Arne Engels corner as the Rodgers' side beat Falkirk 4-1 at Parkhead to reach the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals.

The central defender made his first appearances for Celtic in the Champions League play-offs against Midtjylland in 2021 but subsequently suffered two separate cruciate ligament injuries and did not play another first-team game for three years.

He was recalled from a loan spell at Queen's Park midway through last season but injury ended his campaign prematurely after he returned to the Celtic team.

However, he was one of six players drafted in by Rodgers on Friday and took his chance with a header from close range.

Rodgers said: "It's great for him because he's a great boy. He's got a lot of potential. And I think over the next 12 to 18 months, he's going to really grow.

"His ceiling is so high. There are areas of the game he needs to clearly work on. But he's 6ft 4in, he's quick, he can take the ball.

"He has a comfort with the ball which aligns with top players. Just, concentration is something that's key for defenders.

"But I really, really like him and that's the reason we've tied him down [to a new contract] - and I think he's got a great future."

Plymouth Argyle have improved their offer, with an option to buy, but are still waiting for Celtic to decide on whether centre-back Stephen Welsh, 25, can join them on loan as the Scottish champions can only have six players out on international loans. (Anthony Joseph), external

Sources around Manchester United's Tyrell Malacia are surprised by reports of a possible transfer to Celtic as the 25-year-old left-back has not yet heard anything from the Scottish champions and the only offer has come from Saudi Arabia. (Joost Blaauwhof), external

Celtic missed out on Liverpool's Ben Doak, having explored the possibility of re-signing the 19-year-old this summer as a replacement should Japan international Daizen Maeda, 27, be sold. (Football Insider), external

David Strelec's father claims that Celtic have revived their interest in the 24-year-old Slovan Bratislava striker. (Sport 24 via Daily Record), external

Celtic had expressed an interest in Jack Grealish before the England midfielder joined Everton on loan from Manchester City, but the 29-year-old never seriously considered a move to Scotland. (The Athletic - subscription required), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

Holders Celtic scored three goals in 10 second-half minutes to ease into the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals, as Falkirk were given another insight into how tough life will be against top-flight teams.

Read the full match report here.

Have your say here.

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for his side as they progressed to the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals by beating Falkirk.

"I thought the performance was very, very good from the first whistle," he said. "You've seen the hunger in the team and the intensity in the team.

"The first half we were good with the ball but not so good without it. It gave Falkirk a couple of wee opportunities to break through.

"We weren't aggressive enough and tight enough. When we corrected that at half-time, we really dominated the second half.

"The goals were excellent and I thought we played really, really well.

"Overall really pleased. A lot of the players who hadn't played came in and gave great value to the team. We had good variety in attack tonight. We were precise around the box when we needed to be."

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Brendan Rodgers says there is "much more to come" from Dane Murray after the defender signed a contract extension to stay at Celtic until summer 2028.

Murray, 22, has struggled with injuries since making his debut in a Champions League qualifier against Midtjylland four years ago.

After a spell on loan at Queen's Park last season, Murray is now eyeing a first-team impact at Celtic and he starts tonight's Premier Sports Cup tie against Falkirk.

"Dane is a young player I have really enjoyed working with and is someone who has really developed well across the past few seasons," said Rodgers

"I know there is so much more to come from him and I believe he can have a really successful future with us.

"He has a brilliant attitude to the game and is great team-mate within our squad. He is very deserving of this new contract and I am delighted for him."

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Luke McCowan wants Celtic to deliver a statement performance when they begin their Premier Sports Cup defence at home to Falkirk in the last 16 tonight.

The Bairns gave Celtic a scare in last season's quarter-final as they led 2-1 after 70 minutes before the hosts hit back for a 5-2 victory.

John McGlynn's side are now a Premiership side, having secured back-to-back promotions, and midfielder McCowan insists Celtic must keep standards high to make it three wins from three this season.

"It's another competition you want to go and do well in it like every other year, and it's ours to defend," he said.

"You want to go and put a good performance in, especially at home, the boys know the importance of this.

"It's about going and defending the competitions that you hold and putting on good performances that lead to getting further in the competition.

"We know the importance of this game early on in the cup, but you want to keep pushing and working hard and especially at home, you want to give your fans a good game.

"You need to be at the highest standard possible and that's what we credit ourselves on. You need to be at it, and these games are no different.

"Falkirk have got a coach that's been here and everybody speaks so highly of, he coaches the team really well and demands a lot from them.

"They come to Celtic Park with no difference and with high standards of their own."

Free agent Jamie Vardy, 38, is urged to join Celtic by former England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn. (Record), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

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Manager Brendan Rodgers is "fairly confident" Daizen Maeda will be a Celtic player come the end of the summer transfer window.

Large sections of the Parkhead side's support have become disgruntled at their club's transfer activity, with some fearing interest in the Japan striker.

The 27-year-old was Celtic's standout player last term, scoring 33 goals and providing 12 assists in 51 games.

When asked if he is confident Maeda will remain at the club, Rodgers replied: "Yeah, yeah, yeah, fairly confident of that, as can be."

Maeda has two years remaining on his contract and Rodgers says talks are ongoing regarding a new deal, but the manager is unaware of any progress.

"There have been discussions going on in the background," the Celtic boss added. "I don't have any updates on it. I don't know of any developments."

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Manager Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media prior to Celtic's Premier Sports Cup last-16 tie against Falkirk.

Here are the key lines:

• On a trip to Kazakhstan to face Kairat Almaty in their Champions League play-off: "If we're honest, everyone would've preferred the closer team. It is what it is, we've been there before. It's such a huge game. When it comes, we'll be ready for it."

• On whether his squad will be strengthened by then, Rodgers adds: "Hopefully would be the answer to that. We have right up until the day before the game to change our squad. Hopefully that can be the case. I don't want to dwell too much on it, it's been constant. We hope we can improve it and hopefully by then we will do."

• When asked if a lack of transfer business is starting to cause frustration, the Celtic boss replies: "I'm philosophical about it. The club has always notoriously done business towards the end of the window. All managers and coaches want players in as soon as we can. You want to be as prepared as you can possibly be.

• "What's gone unnoticed is we've made a really good start," Rodgers adds. "Two really good wins, played well, and I know we'll get better. I can't knock the performances over the two games to get the results. Sometimes that's been clouded by the negativity about transfers."

• On getting Kieran Tierney up to speed: "His mentality is unbelievable. I'm so pleased with how he's come in and settled. He's working his fitness up. He's so committed, he's so full on, you can see his maturity now. He's inherently a guy who gives everything. We want to try and increase his level of strength, there are parts of that we feel we can help with his robustness."

• On Daizen Maeda's contract situation: "He has a couple of years left [on his deal]. There have been discussions going on in the background, I don't have any updates on it. I don't know of any developments.

• When asked if he is confident the Japan striker will be at the club come the end of the window, Rodgers says: "Yeah, yeah, yeah, fairly confident of that, as can be."

• Rodgers laughed off suggestions he was "sending messages" by not wearing a tie in Sunday's win at Aberdeen.