“It will be a special night, and I hope that we can make history,” Ricardinho | OneFootball

Kairat Almaty forward Ricardinho has stated that his side aims to achieve a historic milestone in Kazakhstan, while Celtic gear up to battle for a place in the Champions League next Tuesday…

Ricardinho of Kairat Almaty takes a selfie with a fan after the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round First Leg match between Celtic and Kairat Almaty at Celtic Park on August 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The Brazilian attacker, on loan from Czech club Viktoria Plzen, came off the bench late on for the Kazakh champions in Wednesday evening’s goalless playoff draw at Celtic Park.

The encounter in Glasgow left a mark on the 24-year-old, who maintains that Celtic should anticipate a similar atmosphere next week, aside from the weather conditions.

Speaking via The Scotsman, Ricardinho said: “I think the climate is a little bit different. We are very strong at home, our supporters make a lot of noise – maybe not the same as here at Celtic Park – but a good noise.”

“So you can expect a big football club, and maybe a surprise. It is sold out, for sure. It will be a special night, and I hope that we can make history.”

Ricardinho of Kairat Almaty reacts after the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round First Leg match between Celtic and Kairat Almaty at Celtic Park on August 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“[Playing at Celtic Park] was an amazing experience. I have played in a lot of championships, but this stadium and the Champions League are the best. It was amazing.”

“It was a very good result, but we have one more game, and Celtic are a very, very good team. We need to be careful and play the game of our lives.”

Even with the second leg set in Almaty, Ricardinho feels that the battle for Champions League qualification remains evenly poised between his team and Brendan Rodgers’ side.

Liam Scales of Celtic challenges for the ball with Ricardinho of Kairat Almaty during the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round First Leg match between Celtic and Kairat Almaty at Celtic Park on August 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“I don’t think we are the favourites, as it is 50-50, but we need to believe,” he added. It is very, very important for us [to qualify]. We beat Slovan Bratislava in the last round, and it was a big thing.”

“If we were to beat Celtic, it would be real history – it would be a much bigger result.”

Conor Spence

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