Kairat Almaty (0) 0 – 0 (0) Celtic

Kairat Almaty win 3-2 on penalties

Temirlan Anarbekov saved two penalties as Kairat Almaty beat Celtic to progress to the Champions League, relegating the Scottish Champions to the Europa League.

Celtic made two changes from the first leg six days ago. Anthony Ralston replaced the injured Alistair Johnston, with Adam Idah dropping to the bench for Yang Hyun-Jun.

The home side frustrated Celtic for much of the opening leg, and this continued for the first half of the second leg although James Forrest had the game’s first big chance in the 22nd minute as the winger met Reo Hatate’s cross but headed straight at Anarbekov.

Kairat’s high press was suffocating Celtic; there was no room for the likes of Benjamin Nygren, Callum McGregor, and Hatate to dominate, but there were positive signs down the left-hand side as Kieran Tierney and Yang had both picked up attacking areas, but lacked the final pass.

Almaty were awarded an indirect free kick after Kasper Schmeichel handled Callum McGregor’s looping back pass. A wall of Celtic players held firm to deflect Jorginho’s strike, but it was a warning for Brendan Rodgers’ side.

The home side continued to grow in confidence as Valery Gromyko surged forward soon after, but Cameron Carter-Vickers blocked his shot.

As the game entered its final 15 minutes, neither team looked likely to open the scoring. Substitutes Adam Idah and Arne Engels linked well, but Engels blazed over from 25 yards.

Then Celtic had a golden chance to win the game when Daizen Maeda was released onto Anarbekov in goal. The Japanese striker raced clear of the Kairat defence but blazed his shot over the bar, the first clear-cut chance of the game and a golden opportunity wasted for the visitors.

Schmeichel had to be alert to tip minutes later to tip Ofri Arad’s header round the post as the game reached its climax.

The match trundled into extra time and Celtic had another opening when Idah found the onrushing Hatate after a clever channel run. A yellow jersey blocked the resultant shot to keep the scores level.

Callum McGregor and Gromyko traded shots from 25 yards before Anarbekov saved a powerful Nygren strike.

Luke McCowan had the first chance of the second extra time period, but his deflected strike was palmed off the line by Anarbekov with Colby Donovan pouncing on a loose ball and pulled back for Nygren, but the Swede’s close-range strike was stopped again by home keeper.

Kairat Almtay held their nerve in the resultant penalty shootout, scoring four of their five to progress to the Champions League. Anarbekov was the hero once again, saving from McCowan and Idah as Celtic’s two lacklustre displays see them head for the Europa League for the first time in four seasons.

PLAYER RATINGS

Kairat: Anarbekov 9 Luis Mata 7 Jorginho 8 Martynovich 8 Arad 7 D Glazer 7 Tapalov 8 Mrynskiy 8 Gromyko 8 Sorokin 7 Ricardinho 8

Celtic: Schmeichel 6 Ralston 5 Carter-Vickers 6 Scales 6 Tierney 6 McGregor 5 Hatate 5 Nygren 6 Forrest 6 Maeda 5 Yang 5