Scottish sides seven unsuccessful attempts in Kazakhstan | OneFootball

Celtic are aiming to break Scottish sides horrendous run of seven unsuccessful attempts away to Kazakhstan opposition when they face Kairat in Almaty…

Aberdeen v Celtic – Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers during the Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and Celtic at Pittodrie on 10 August 2025. Photo Stephen Dobson PSI (IMAGO)

Brendan Rodgers’ side must endure a gruelling 3,500-mile journey taking around 11 hours from Glasgow to face Kairat Almaty in the Champions League play-off in two weeks time, with a place in the group stage of Europe’s elite club competition on the line.

Scottish teams have struggled badly in the Asian nation, coming away with five defeats and two draws from their seven visits. And Celtic have had their part to play in that over the last decade or so.

Celtic’s three previous trips to Kazakhstan have all taken them to Astana. Back in 2013, under Neil Lennon, Celtic suffered what looked like a costly 2-0 defeat to Shakhter Karagandy, who had relocated the match to the capital city.

James Forrest of Celtic after scoring the winning goal during the UEFA Champions League Play-off second leg match between Celtic and Shakhter Karagandy at Celtic Park on August 28, 2013. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

In 2016, Celtic managed a 1-1 draw away to Astana, but the following year they were beaten 4-3 in the same ground, though their 5-0 win at Celtic Park the week prior had already secured the tie. Supporters will remember how nerve-wracking that afternoon/night got when Astana went 4-1 up… And Patrick Twumasi struck the post which would have made it 5. We certainly didn’t make things easy that night.

Just prior to last week’s media conference with Celtic legend James Forrest I discussed the possibility of him and his teammates making the long-haul flight to Kazakhstan. Like the rest of us, he was hoping Bratislava completed the job in the second leg.

Jamesy thought he had played in Kazakhstan three times, but I reminded him of featuring in Scotland’s horrendous 3-0 thrashing in Astana six years ago during Alex McLeish’s tenure.

Three Scottish sides have also made the trip 770 miles east to play in Almaty. A decade ago in the Europa League, Aberdeen fell 2-1 to Celtic’s Champions League playoff opponents, with Kenny McLean’s away goal proving insufficient, and a 1-1 draw at Pittodrie in the second leg saw Derek McInnes’ men knocked out.

READ THIS…Travelling distance a concern for Rodgers but Celtic are strong favourites

In the past three years, Scotland’s U21s have visited twice, including a 2-2 draw in 2022 when now Celtic scout Peter Houston stepped in for manager Scot Gemmill – who could not travel due to COVID – in a game disrupted by floodlight problems.

Last October, Gemmill’s side were beaten 3-2 at the Almaty Ortalyk Stadium. Despite the defeat, new Udinese signing Lennon Miller grabbed the headlines for a stunning strike. It wasn’t enough as Scotland missed out on the chance to reach the European Championship play-offs.

SLOVAN BRATISLAVA – KAIRAT ALMATY Players of Kairat celebrate during third qualifying round of UEFA Champions League football match between SK Slovan Bratislava and Kairat Almaty. Bratislava, Slovakia, August 12, 2025. IMAGO / Branislav Racko

So, let’s hope when Celtic make the journey in two weeks time, the run of poor results in Kazakhstan comes to an end. Hopefully by then, similarly to 2017 against Astana, Rodgers and his team will have already completed the job.

Conor Spence

More Stories / Latest News

Scottish sides seven unsuccessful attempts in Kazakhstan

Aug 14 2025, 7:34

Video: Kyogo nets first goal since leaving Celtic with poacher’s finish

Aug 13 2025, 20:34

Celtic confirm much needed Paradise upgrade set to take place

Aug 13 2025, 20:13

CELTIC IN THE EIGHTIES BY DAVID POTTER, FOREWORD BY DANNY McGRAIN is published by Celtic Star Books on the fifth day of September. You can pre-order now to guarantee your copy which will be signed by Danny McGrain, with just a limited number of signed copies still available, although they are selling very quickly.

Missing Attachment

Missing Attachment

And there’s another great benefit for readers who pre-order their copy of Celtic in the Eighties. You will also receive a copy of an earlier David Potter book – Celtic’ Icicle – Alec McNair – which you’ll receive for FREE when you pre-order with Celtic in the Eighties. So you get two great Celtic books by David Potter and better still the postage is only charged on one. Click on the image below to order. (Just order Celtic in the Eighties and we’ll automatically add a copy of the Alec McNair book).

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Foreword by Danny McGrain. Published on Celtic Star Books on 5 September 2025. Click on image to pre-order.

Help raise funds for Celtic Youth Academy by playing the Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery and you could win up to £25,000. The lottery is £1 per week. Click on image to join.