Celtic boost as Kairat without four stars for second leg

Kairat goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov is out injured <i>(Image: Andrew Milligan)</i>
Kairat goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov is out injured (Image: Andrew Milligan)
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Celtic have received a boost for their Champions League play-off second leg with the news Kairat Almaty will be without four stars.

The Kazakhstani team held the Scottish champions to a goalless draw in the first leg at Parkhead on Wednesday night, leaving it all to play for in the second next week.

The visitors were forced to withdraw goalkeeper Alexander Zarutsky for the final 15 minutes of the first game due to injury, replacing him with 21-year-old Temirlan Anarbekov.

The rookie will likely have to go again next week as Kazakhstan outlet Sports24.KZ is reporting the number one will not recover in time.


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In other welcome news for Brendan Rodgers, Chelsea-bound wonderkid Dastan Satpayev has picked up a suspension for the second leg after being booked for stopping Arne Engels from taking a free-kick in extra-time.

Left-back Luis Mata and midfielder Giorgi Zaria were both missing from the Parkhead clash and will remain sidelined for the second leg.

Celtic have worrying injury news of their own after Alistair Johnston was stretchered off with what looked to be a hamstring problem.

It has since been reported the club may look to recruit in that area if the lay-off is a particularly long one.

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