Match

Celtic predicted XI vs Kairat Almaty as Brendan Rodgers makes huge striker decision

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The biggest game of the season awaits for Celtic as they face Kairat Almaty for a place in the Champions League.

Celtic drew with Kairat Almaty in the first leg and now have to travel over 7,000 miles to face the side from Kazakhstan.

There will be no Alistair Johnston until November after his injury in the first leg while Kairat have four players ruled out.

With £40m in Champions League prize money on the line, Brendan Rodgers cannot afford to lose this tie and must become the first Celtic manager to win in Kazakhstan.

Here, 67 Hail Hail predicts how the Hoops’ starting XI will look against Kairat Almaty.

Celtic team photo during the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round First Leg match between Celtic and Kairat Almaty
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images

Brendan Rodgers opts for Johnny Kenny in the starting role

With Adam Idah a doubt for the game, a decision has to be made between Johnny Kenny and Shin Yamada.

It was the Japanese striker who was given the nod in the win against Livingston but Kenny made more of an impact, coming off the bench to score his first goal of the season.

Kenny signed a new contract earlier this year as a statement of intent, while hoping to become the main number nine for the Bhoys.

Rodgers is still looking at a striker but if Kenny can fire Celtic to the Champions League, those plans may be on pause.

The Celtic predicted XI to face Kairat Almaty in the Champions League play-off
The Celtic predicted XI to face Kairat Almaty in the Champions League play-off Credit: GRV Media lineup tool

Celtic predicted XI vs Kairat Almaty

After resting a number of key players at the weekend, you can expect Celtic to return to full strength.

Kasper Schmeichel will be in goal with a back four of Anthony Ralston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and Kieran Tierney in front of him.

Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor and the weekend’s star man, Benjamin Nygren complete the midfield.

The front three will consist of Daizen Maeda, Kenny and then James Forrest on the right.