Celtic suffer humiliating UEFA Champions League exit

Celtic have been eliminated from the UEFA Champions League after a humiliating penalty shoot-out defeat to Kazakh minnows Kairat.

The Bhoys were left frustrated after a 0-0 draw at Celtic Park last week in which the hosts were strongly favoured to leave with a first-leg lead, only for the second leg to play out in similar fashion.

Celtic struggled to carve out clear cut chances, forcing extra-time and then penalties, with Adam Idah and Luke McCowan having Celtic's first two penalties saved with Daizen Maeda being denied with the fifth spot kick as Brendan Rodgers' side lost 3-2 in the shoot-out.

Neither side carved open any real opportunities early on, though the visitors did receive a couple of warnings in the first half with Kasper Schmeichel twice called upon.

James Forrest had the Bhoys' best chance of the first half after 25 minutes when his close-range header from Yang's cross was turned over by Temirlan Anarbekov.

Perhaps somewhat unsettled by the boisterous home crowd, Celtic failed to get a real foothold in the affair, with their nerves on full display when Kasper Schmeichel was forced to punch Callum McGregor's back pass clear, conceding an indirect free-kick on the edge of the six-yard box.

Celtic dealt with the free-kick albeit after a fortunate escape following a VAR check for handball, which was as close as the Kazakh side came to scoring.

With the game edging towards extra time, Daizen Maeda was sent through on goal by an inch-perfect McGregor pass, only to fire the ball over.

After 180 minutes of frustrating football, Celtic finally upped the tempo in extra time but were unable to make the breakthrough.

Plenty of ire has been directed at the board for their summer transfer dealings and nights like this certainly won't help matters; while Celtic will surely have enough to see off Rangers to the title, the club have been denied the £40m from participating in the UEFA Champions League, and will spend the 2025/26 season in the UEFA Europa League.

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Liam Williams

• Celtic F.C.
• UEFA Champions League
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