That was an accident waiting to happen – Celtic down and out in Almaty | OneFootball

Tonight Celtic crashed out of the Champions League at the playoff stage after failing to score in over 210 minutes against one of the most modest opponents we have ever faced at this level…

Celtic line up Kairat Almaty v Celtic, UEFA Champions League, Play-Off Round, Second Leg, Football, Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan – 26 Aug 2025Almaty Almaty Central Stadium Kazakhstan Photo Nikita Bassov/Shutterstock

Celtic sold our main striker Kyogo in January and our best winger in July after our second best winger suffered a long term injury in April.  Celtic bloggers have been screaming all summer long about the need to bring in replacements to allow Celtic to push on in the Champions League after where we got to last season, going out in heartbreaking circumstances in Munich with our heads held high.

Brendan Rodgers manager of Celtic Kairat Almaty v Celtic, UEFA Champions League, Play-Off Round, Second Leg, Football, Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan – 26 Aug 2025Almaty Almaty Central Stadium Kazakhstan Photo Nikita Bassov/Shutterstock

Brendan Rodgers wanted to build on that experience but he knew Kuhn wanted away  – fair enough but for heaven’s sake replace him. Kyogo had been gone for the seven months and those in charge of our club – drawing huge salaries and bonuses on top – kept their powder dry and OUR money in THEIR bank rather than sign a striker.

The Celtic manager pleaded, threatened, practically begged for help but it all fell in deaf ears. Dermot Desmond seems to have gone AWOL this summer but now has serious questions to answer. Michael Nicholson the Celtic CEO’s vow of silence is no longer tenable. He has to decide if he is actually leader or just  a feartie. There’s no evidence at all that he’s more Invisible Man rather than Celtic’s main man.

Michael Nicholson, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Celtic, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and Club Brugge KV at Celtic Park on November 27, 2024 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

And the undercurrent of the Lawwell versus Rodgers feud behind the scenes at Celtic surely has to end for good. It has perhaps now cost us two Champions League qualifications.

That said the  manager is far from blameless. That goes without saying. the truth is that since the Bayern game in Munich his Celtic side has never really got going. On Sunday he takes his side to Ibrox and if he fails to win that will mean ZERO wins against theRangers in 2025.

But Rodgers at least was aware of the dangers and to his credit vocalised them repeatedly over the summer. It all fell on deaf ears.

The huge and reckless gamble taken by our supposedly cautious board in not spending until it was too late meant we have Yang starting, a half fit Idah with his confidence already shot coming off the bench and as the minutes passed the inevitability of it all was clear.

Yang Hyun-Jun of Celtic Kairat Almaty v Celtic, UEFA Champions League, Play-Off Round, Second Leg, Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan – 26 August 2025Almaty Almaty Central Stadium Kazakhstan Photo Nikita Bassov/Shutterstock

Yang is sub-standard, the last of the Mark Lawwell signing still standing and a waste of a jersey tonight. Jamsie is now no more than a super-sub, Daizen’s purple patch is well and truly over – a last minute sitter at Ibrox and in the cup final and one each in both legs of this playoff. Our attacking options are truly dreadful.  So no-one is scratching their heads saying how did Celtic not manager to score against tonight’s opponents over two legs?

Daizen Maeda of Celtic reacts to missing an opportunity Kairat Almaty v Celtic, UEFA Champions League, Play-Off Round, Second Leg, Football, Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan – 26 Aug just 2025Almaty Almaty Central Stadium Kazakhstan Photo Nikita Bassov/Shutterstock

The truth is Celtic is going backwards fast. The supporters who travelled all that way, at great expense were badly let down by everyone, except perhaps young Donovan who looks a player.

Celtic supporters, Kairat Almaty v Celtic, UEFA Champions League, Play-Off Round, Second Leg, Football, Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan – 26 Aug 2025Almaty Almaty Central Stadium Kazakhstan Photo Nikita Bassov/Shutterstock

Brendan has already made it clear he’ll stay for the season because he made that three year promise. They could sack him but for what? For being right all along?  It was actually him who mentioned sacking the manager last week, perhaps opening an exit door that comes without the fallout he endured last time around.

We will hear from Brendan on Friday and again on Sunday but what about Nicholson our CEO?  When will he speak to the supporters. Why not do as Brendan does and sit before supporters at a fan media conference?

The only blessings from tonight’s HUMILIATION are these. Firstly it gives us as a support the chance to reshape our club and with all due respect for the great work in many areas over the years, to move on from the Lawwell era. It’s now run its course. As for Nicholson, he’s had it easy and has lived in the shadows too long. Front and centre to move on.

Brendan Rodgers manager of Celtic talks with their players before being substituted on Kairat Almaty v Celtic, UEFA Champions League, Play-Off Round, Second Leg, Football, Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan – 26 Aug 2025Almaty Almaty Central Stadium Kazakhstan Photo Nikita Bassov/Shutterstock

Brendan won’t stay. Ange won’t come back, that’s for sure. So where is Celtic heading? Celtic supporters need to know.

The other blessing is avoiding being the Champions League whipping boys like Young Boys, Slovan Bratislava and a few others were last season.  That undoubtedly would have been us this season. Life in the slow lane awaits Celtic, tonight we’ve arrived there earlier than expected and it’s been caused by those in our boardroom, a club that’s rotting from the top down.

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.

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