Celtic have a daunting trip awaiting them after they were held to a goalless draw against Kairat Almaty.
Kairat, the little-known side from Kazakhstan, arrived as underdogs but proved to be troublesome opponents for the Hoops.
Brendan Rodgers’ side had one clear-cut chance all game but looked well off the pace at Parkhead.
The draw against Kairat now means they face a mammoth trip where they know they will have to return to Glasgow with a win.
So, with that, here are five things 67 Hail Hail learned from Celtic’s 0-0 draw with Kairat Almaty.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesAlistair Johnston injury could force transfer rethink
Celtic were already short of options in the left-back and winger departments but the injury to Alistair Johnston may mean that Rodgers has to rethink his plans for the rest of the window.
Johnston gave a thumbs up to the crowd as he was stretchered off after 36 minutes but if he is to be out for some time, that leaves Anthony Ralston as the only senior option available.
Colby Donovan’s potential loan away may be put on hold for now as they assess Johnston but it may mean that Celtic now have to look for short-term cover at right-back too.
Celtic fans chant for the board to go
Frustrations clearly crept in at Celtic Park as growing cries for the board to leave the club were heard loud and clear.
Like most years, Celtic are preferring to wait until the end of the window to get their business done, but supporters are concerned that those promises won’t come to fruition.
Cries for the board to leave are nothing new, but they did seem quite loud and took place on multiple occasions.
Benjamin Nygren is the jack-of-all-trades for Brendan Rodgers
Benjamin Nygren wasn’t the best player on the pitch but he is simply undroppable. Partly due to his ability to conjure something out of nothing, but also because of his versatility.
Arne Engels was brought on for James Forrest in the second half which forced Nygren to move into the wide role on the right before being subbed off for Shin Yamada.
It’s a beneficial tool for Rodgers to have up his sleeve and deploy whenever necessary.
Celtic must be more ruthless in possession
Kairat are no slouches by any means and they proved that by being stubborn to break down.
However, when you have as much quality as Celtic do, you must take advantage of it.
Over the course of the game, Celtic had eight shots and two on target throughout the entire game – desperately disappointing.
It’s hard to create chances against a defensive side, but they must take advantage of having the ball so much.
Has Brendan Rodgers lost patience with Adam Idah?
Adam Idah has proved before that he is a capable goal scorer.
In the 2024/25 campaign he found the back of the net 20 times and in the season before, scored the winner in the Scottish Cup final.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Rodgers has kept faith in Idah and started him in every league game before Wednesday night but, after failing to even register a shot on goal, he was withdrawn at half time and replaced by Hyunjun Yang to allow Daizen Maeda to go up front.
To take your number nine off at the break seems to suggest that time could be up and another striker may get given the nod against Livingston.