‘It is clear’ – Kairat Almaty star delivers brave shout ahead of Celtic Champions League play-off

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Celtic have just one more game to play before their Champions League play-off first leg.

The Hoops will take on Falkirk in the Premier Sports Cup on Friday evening before a five-day rest ahead of playing Kairat Almaty in Glasgow.

Kairat defeated Slovan Bratislava in the third qualifying round to progress, but could only squeeze past the Slovakian champions on penalties.

Celtic will be confident heading into the huge tie that has tens of millions of pounds on the line, but one Kairat star thinks it will be ‘easier’ for the Kazakh side.

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Yegor Sorokin says Kairat will find it ‘easier’ than Celtic

Yegor Sorokin is a central defender who has played for Kairat since 2024, and has been speaking after the Celtic clash was confirmed on Tuesday night.

Sorokin has made it clear that Kairat are not the favourites to progress, but shared a bold claim that it will be an easier tie for his team because the pressure will be more on the Hoops.

The 29-year-old said via freelance journalist Mark Walker: “It is clear that we are not the favourites against Celtic. But that is why it will be easier for us. We will fight and do everything to advance.

“And how will it turn out? Time will tell. We want the world to sit up and take notice of Kairat Almaty.”

Sorokin and two others face UK Visa sweat

Sorokin is Russian, which means he will need to apply for a UK Visa because of the sanctions placed on Russia by the government.

The UK made it much more difficult for Russians to enter the country after they invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Belarusian nationals Valery Gromyko and Alyaksandr Martynovich – who also play for Kairat – face the same problem as Sorokin.

But Sorokin has explained that Kairat’s general director Askar Asylbekovich made it clear that their entry into the UK will be straightforward.

He continued: “The general director of Kairat assured me that everything will be approved and the visa will be ready. I hope there are no problems with this and I am able to play in Scotland.”