Munich was a gut-punch for Celtic... but a Kairat calamity would be a kick in the teeth too far for supporters
Share this @internewscast.com

Back in February, when Celtic were ahead 1-0 against Bayern Munich as the game reached the 93rd minute in the Allianz Arena, with just one step away from the Champions League last 16, it seemed impossible to imagine that their subsequent away match in European competition would be met with such bleakness and peril.

However, Alphonso Davies’ goal in the 94th minute secured a 3-2 overall victory for the German team, which may have dashed some dreams and left the Celtic squad deflated after surprising several major opponents in a remarkable campaign, yet the main sentiment from that night in Bavaria was one of pride.

Despite the heartbreaking late conclusion to an unforgettable journey, it felt like a new beginning, laying the groundwork for future European achievements.

If they fail to win tonight, the club will drop into the Europa League, prompting further scrutiny over their inability to capitalize on last season’s success.

Brendan Rodgers was left with plenty to ponder after the first-leg stalemate with Kairat Almaty

Brendan Rodgers was left with plenty to ponder after the first-leg stalemate with Kairat Almaty

Alphonse Davies hit a 94th-minute equaliser to prevent the last-32 tie going to extra-time

Alphonse Davies hit a 94th-minute equaliser to prevent the last-32 tie going to extra-time

Callum McGregor is left stunned as Bayern celebrate their stoppage-time goal in Munich

Callum McGregor is left stunned as Bayern celebrate their stoppage-time goal in Munich

Here, Mail Sport’s Kenny Still looks at some of the key issues facing both club and manager in southern Kazakhstan tonight.

A STRIKING DILEMMA FOR RODGERS

The choice Brendan Rodgers makes for the forward position tonight might prove crucial. With Adam Idah now fit and ready to lead the attack, there’s a chance for Celtic’s criticized £9 million player to silence discussions about his transfer cost by helping earn the club a £40 million league phase windfall.

The dilemma is that most supporters would prefer not to see him leading the frontline. According to many observers, that role is better suited for the smaller yet dynamic Daizen Maeda.

Of course, moving the Japanese internationalist in from his left-wing berth only throws up issues in other areas of Celtic’s stretched squad, but it speaks to both Idah’s ineffectiveness and Maeda’s moxie that most supporters believe the club’s best chance of progression lies in handing the key role to the latter.

It could very well be a case of ‘damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t’ with regards to Rodgers’ decision over Idah this evening. Failure to pitch the big-money signing in for such a crucial 90 minutes — exactly the kind of game where you rely on your star men to prove their worth — would surely be akin to hammering the final nail in the coffin of the Irishman’s Celtic career.

Rodgers was frustrated with Idah's performance in the first leg and subbed him at half-time

Rodgers was frustrated with Idah’s performance in the first leg and subbed him at half-time

Play him, however, and be rewarded with the same kind of limp, blunt, lethargic display as has been witnessed far too often from the 24-year-old, and Rodgers will get it in the neck for gambling with the club’s European jackpot by playing with a weaker hand.

The big win for Celtic would be an Idah goal, progression to the league phase and a huge weight off of player and club’s shoulders. Whether that only pushes the Idah issue further down the road would be a question for another day…

Almighty challenge in Almaty

Since making a losing debut in European football when being knocked out by Red Star Belgrade in UEFA Cup qualifying in 2002, Kairat Almaty have since lost only one home qualifying match in either the Champions League or Europa League.

It’s not just a daunting 7,000-mile round trip Rodgers and his squad have to contend with, it’s an ambitious and capable side extremely comfortable in their environment and just 90 tantalising minutes away from securing their first ever venture into the elite stage of European football’s premier competition.

Kairat are yet to concede a goal at home in this season's Champions League qualifiers

Kairat are yet to concede a goal at home in this season’s Champions League qualifiers

The Kazakhs have yet to concede a goal at home in their three qualifiers already this term, having beaten Olimpija Ljubljana, KuPS and Slovan Bratislava 2-0, 3-0 and 1-0 respectively.

Even more worrying for Celtic is the fact that every time Almaty have drawn the away leg of a qualifying tie, they have won the home leg and progressed. They didn’t claim that advantage in Glasgow last week just to throw it away carelessly tonight.

Time for Tierney to show his class

Kieran Tierney could be forgiven for wondering what, exactly, he’s returned to on his second coming at Parkhead.

The fans’ favourite may have been snapped up on a free transfer after his mixed spell at Arsenal came to an end, but make no mistake, he is their big-name summer arrival.

Whether the current environment matches up to the vision he was sold during pre-contract talks with Rodgers back in January is open to question. Undoubtedly, Celtic are a far weaker side now than they were back in those heady days when they were racking up Champions League points like they were going out of fashion.

Regardless, this is the stage Tierney came back to play on, having only played 185 minutes of Champions League football in seven games for both Arsenal and Real Sociedad in the six years since he departed the east end of Glasgow.

The Celtic Kieran Tierney has retuned to is weaker than the one he agreed to join in January

The Celtic Kieran Tierney has retuned to is weaker than the one he agreed to join in January

And while the challenge facing his side tonight is daunting, Tierney has the experience, tenacity and big-game nous to help his team-mates weather the storm and find the one big 90-minute performance they need to drag them over the line.

With Alistair Johnston missing on the opposite side of defence, expect a lot of the play to come up Tierney’s left flank this evening. And don’t be surprised to see the Scotland man chasing every loose ball and closing down every Kairat attack as he looks to ensure his first continental campaign back at his first love isn’t spent slumming it in the Europa League.

Rodgers needs Forrest firing

Any thoughts that the final year of James Forrest’s Celtic contract would see him play a supporting role in a revolving cast of wingers as he winds down towards some emotional farewells at the tail end of the season have been put firmly in their place — by the club’s alarming lack of wingers, mainly.

For much of the past five seasons, Forrest (right) has been a peripheral figure at Parkhead, a combination of injury and ageing limbs seeing his playing time limited as a host of other wide options have been utilised by first Ange Postecoglou and latterly Rodgers.

James Forrest is once again a key man in Celtic's bid to reach the promised land

James Forrest is once again a key man in Celtic’s bid to reach the promised land 

Nicolas Kuhn was the man charged with raiding the right flank for most of last season, and while his summer departure to Como wasn’t mourned too much after an alarming tail-off in form from January onwards, the expectation was that a huge chunk of the £16.5million fee recouped for him would have been spent on replacement wide men ahead of this crucial qualifying tie.

That 34-year-old Forrest has emerged as Celtic’s most trusted wide threat going into tonight’s win-or-bust encounter sums up the club’s alarming early inactivity on the transfer front. 

Along with a combination of Maeda, Benjamin Nygren and Yang Hyun-jun, Forrest will be asked to go to the well for potentially one final time in the competition he has appeared in 74 times across all group stage and qualifying ties.

Pop up with the winner tonight and he might be the next to get a statue on Celtic Way.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

TNT Sports Shocks Fans with Ill-Prepared Ashes Coverage from Afar: A Disappointment for Loyal England Supporters

I am not, as far as I know, a masochist. But I…

LIV’s Battle for Viability: Financial Losses, Player Recruitment from PGA Tour, and a Confidential Meeting that Could Reshape Golf’s Ongoing Drama

The opening week of this month posed quite the challenge for Yasir…

Scotland’s World Cup Aspirations Soar: Clarke’s Confidence Fuels Hopes for Historic Qualification

Steve Clarke believes his Scotland team has demonstrated the resilience needed to…

Controversial Handball Decisions: Willie Collum and SFA Face Growing Criticism

Just when you think you’ve mastered the intricacies of referees, video replays,…

INSIDE CHELSEA: What’s in Store for Moises Caicedo After His Instagram Drama, The Rising Talent Enzo Maresca Admires Who Just Signed a Pro Contract, plus Updates on Reece James and Enzo Fernandez’s Injuries

We can only hope for as much drama in the next episode…

Reflecting on Heart of Midlothian’s Current Success Without the ‘Mad Vlad’ Era Challenges in the Scottish Premiership

Let’s just take a look at a few of the similarities before we…

Sumo Sensation: Packed Royal Albert Hall Cheers on Heavyweight Champions After Pre-Match London Adventures

After captivating Londoners with their presence on city streets, indulging in Guinness,…

England Captain Harry Kane Reflects on Career’s Toughest Moment, Aims to Channel It Towards Three Lions’ World Cup Success

Amidst the bustling scene outside the changing rooms at Daugava Stadium, Harry…

Roy Keane’s Daughter Shares Journey with Lupus and Launches Inspiring New Business Venture

Caragh Keane, daughter of famed footballer Roy Keane, recently shared her journey…