Celtic V Shakhter Karagandy UEFA Champions League Match 28 -August 2013.Celtic must overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit if they are to see off Shakhtyor Karaganda and make the UEFA Champions League group stage.
The Bhoys suffered a shock defeat in Kazakhstan last week and now face a battle to keep their European dream alive.Watch Celtic V Shakhter Karagandy Live, Watch Celtic V Shakhter Karagandy Live Stream, Watch Celtic V Shakhter Karagandy Free Live Stream, Watch Celtic V Shakhter Karagandy Online, Watch Celtic V Shakhter Karagandy Online Free, Celtic V Shakhter Karagandy Live, Celtic V Shakhter Karagandy live stream Online.
Having made headlines for all of the right reasons last season - as they stunned Barcelona and made it through to the last-16 - Celtic will be determined to ensure that the tables are not turned a year on.
Progress in continental competition is vital to the Glasgow giants as it helps to generate much-needed funds.
Elimination at this stage would leave Neil Lennon's side facing up to a campaign dominated by domestic action, and that could leave them vulnerable to approaches from afar before the summer transfer window closes and again in January.
There is a determination within the Celtic ranks to make amends for their Kazakh humbling, with the reigning SPL champions confident they can enjoy another memorable European night at Parkhead.
Shakhtyor are in Scotland to spoil the party, though, and their coach Viktor Kumykov believes his troops can claim a prized scalp and make history by becoming the first Kazakh club to grace the group stage.
He said: "We are quite confident before this game. It won't be a disaster for us if we don't qualify for the Champions League stage and go to the Europa League because in football, it is sometimes better to develop in stages.
"What really matters is on the football pitch, the game and the final score. We scored twice in the first leg and Celtic failed to score; that's what really matters."
Team news
Beram Kayal will miss Celtic's crucial play-off clash on Wednesday night with a groin complaint.
The Israel midfielder picked up the injury in Saturday's 2-2 home Scottish Premiership draw with Inverness and is set to be sidelined for a fortnight.
Although Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk was troubled with a hamstring at the weekend, he will be fit.
Anthony Stokes (calf), Georgios Samaras (toe), Derk Boerrigter (ankle) and James Forrest (sciatica) all missed the game against Caley but trained on Tuesday, and while Kris Commons (groin) will not train ahead of the game, Lennon is not ruling him out.
Celtic are facing up to the journey from hell to Kazakhstan in their bid to land a £15million dream ticket into the lucrative group stage of the Uefa Champions League.
Alison McConnell
Alison McConnell Football Writer
Friday 09/08/2013
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The Hoops were paired with Shakhter Karagandy in today’s draw for the play-off round, with the first leg of the tie to be played in Kazakhstan on either Tuesday, August 20, or Wednesday, August 21, with the return at Parkhead on Tuesday, August 27 or Wednesday, August 28.
It is the first time a Scottish team has been drawn against a side from central Asia – Kazakhstan borders Russia and China – which is further east than Tehran – and the Parkhead side will not relish the gruelling journey that lies in wait.
The trek involves a flight of around eight hours, and it is real a headache for Neil Lennon’s side who have the added complication of knowing very little about their opponents.
Shakhter eliminated BATE Borisov in the previous qualifying round; Borisov were one of only two clubs seeded higher than Celtic in the “Champions Path”.