On Wednesday, the Kazakhstan Premier League champions held Brendan Rodgers‘ team to a 0-0 draw, with the second leg of the Play-Off qualifier due to take place next Tuesday at the Almaty Central Stadium (17.45 kick-off BST).
The visitors to Glasgow had the best chance of the game, with Kairat defender Alexsandr Martynovich’s first-half goal being ruled out as offside, though goalmouth action was admittedly few and far between during proceedings in Glasgow.
Speaking after the game, Urazbakhtin admitted that his side were disappointed not to score at Celtic Park, though he remained optimistic of his team’s chances in Almaty next week. “Naturally (we’re disappointed). Of course, we wanted to score from the chances we had,” he said. [Tribuna]
“We told the guys that opportunities would come and that we needed to try to take them, because, against a team like Celtic, you won’t get many chances. Yes, it did not work out, but that is okay.
“We now face a long trip, recovery, and at the moment, I can’t tell you exactly what will happen in the return leg. The only thing I can promise is that the guys will fight the same way and leave everything on the pitch, and, of course, we are counting on the support of our home crowd.
“Their influence and encouragement, just like Celtic’s support at their home ground, will really help us.”