‘Celtic have previously had a hard time of playing in Kazakhstan,’ Kairat star

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The Celtic Star

·23 agosto 2025

‘Celtic have previously had a hard time of playing in Kazakhstan,’ Kairat star

Kairat Almaty midfielder Valeriy Gromyko is confident he can realise his Champions League aspirations, and is fully aware of Celtic’s past challenges in Kazakhstan…

Following a goalless draw at Celtic Park on Wednesday evening, Brendan Rodgers’ side face a grueling 3,500-mile trip to Asia for the second leg of the Champions League playoff.

No Scottish side has ever secured a victory in Kazakhstan, with Celtic visiting three times in the past 12 years, Aberdeen and the Scotland senior team once each, and the Scotland U21s team twice.

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Belarusian international Gromyko is set on making life even tougher for the Scottish champions next Tuesday.

Speaking via The Glasgow Times, Gromyko said: “I know that Celtic have previously had a hard time of playing in Kazakhstan. So we want to show the world we can play good football too and not just defend.”

“We played really well in the second half in Glasgow – we really stopped everything. Let’s not forget Celtic are a very good team who play in the Champions League every year. They are a very fast team too, but we matched them.”

Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers exchanges words with Valeri Gromyko of Kairat Almaty Celtic v Kairat Almaty, UEFA Champions League, Play-Off Round, First Leg, Football, Celtic Park on 20 August 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace, IMAGO/Shutterstock

“But at home in front of our fans, it will be a different game. It is the dream of any footballer to get into the main stage of the Champions League. Of course, we believe in it.”

Meanwhile, Kairat’s Portuguese forward Jorginho admitted he would love to spend the remainder of his career playing at Celtic Park.

He said: “When you play at a stadium like that, you have to enjoy it. The atmosphere was amazing. This is what I want in my career. I want to play at stadiums like that every week. I was really proud of our performance at such a place. It won’t be any easier for us at home. So we need to recover and prepare for the next game.”

Conor Spence

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