‘Shambles’ – Celtic suffer embarrassing defeat to side ranked 311th in woeful Champions League low

Celtic have suffered a shock defeat in the Champions League with a play-off round exit to FC Kairat.

After 0-0 draws in both legs, the Kazakh side won 3-2 in their penalty shootout to qualify for the league phase of the elite competition for the first time in the club’s history.

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Kairat, who are 311th in the UEFA club rankings, will play Champions League football for the first time in their 71-year history.

They look set to be in pot four during Thursday’s league phase draw.

Celtic had 22 shots across the two legs but only eight of those were on target as the Scottish giants struggled in front of goal.

Daizen Maeda had a glorious chance to score the winner in the 85th minute but blazed his effort over the bar.

He then missed his spot-kick in the shootout as Celtic crashed out of the Champions League.

Reacting to their defeat, talkSPORT’s Hugh Woozencroft posted on X and said: “That’s a horrific result for all of Scottish football.

“£30million-ish going outside the eco-system and to Kazakhstani football instead. A huge lesson for Celtic’s board – woeful, feeble recruitment.

“[Brendan, manager] Rodgers and the players haven’t been much better. Shambles.”

Meanwhile, this Celtic fan said: “Without being dramatic, this is the worst I’ve ever seen Celtic play in Europe.

Another added: “This is as bad a Celtic performance as you’re ever likely to see.”

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Meanwhile, former Celtic player Paul Lambert told talkSPORT: “The lads shouldn’t be losing it, the fans will vent their anger to.

“As Brendan says, the board gets it and everybody gets it from them, it’s a really demanding club. When you play there, you have to win, it doesn’t matter how you do it, you have to win games of football, that’s the key to being a Celtic player really.

“And if you don’t do it, you feel the wrath of it, because that’s what happens in Glasgow, so I’m sure Brendan and the board, they’ll discuss everything that’s happened and the players will be disappointed with what’s happened.

“I think there’ll be the usual inquest. when you’re back in Glasgow, you’ll get about five weeks of people wanting to have a go at them and that’s normal in Glasgow, you just have to put your head down and get on with it and try and win the next game.”

Celtic set for Europa League football

Tuesday night’s result means Celtic will drop into the Europa League league phase.

They played in the Champions League during the past three campaigns, and reached the knockout round play-offs last season.

But the Scottish Premiership leaders will instead be in the Europa League draw on August 29.

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The defeat may also throw up questions about Rodgers’ future at the club with the Northern Irishman in the final year of his three-year deal anyway.

Rangers are the only Scottish side left with a chance of qualifying for the Champions League.

However, they are 3-1 down to Club Brugge ahead of the second leg on Wednesday night.

Should they be defeated, they will also drop into the Europa League.

And on Sunday, Rangers will host Celtic in the Old Firm derby, where both sides will be desperate for the Glaswegian bragging rights.