A visibly frustrated Brendan Rodgers has admitted that his side created their own downfall after Celtic were dumped out of Champions League qualification following a tense penalty shoot-out defeat to Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty. The Scottish giants will now drop into the UEFA Europa League, missing out on a coveted place in Europe’s premier club competition.
Speaking after the match, Rodgers did not hide his disappointment, describing the outcome as a bitter pill to swallow. “The last thing you want to do in football is manufacture your own stress,” the Celtic manager said, visibly deflated. His comment pointed to what many fans and pundits have described as a self-inflicted collapse, with Celtic squandering key chances and failing to assert dominance during the two-legged tie.
Despite taking an early lead in the first leg, the Hoops failed to capitalise on their advantage and allowed Kairat Almaty back into the contest. The second leg ended in a deadlock, pushing the game into penalties where the Kazakh side held their nerve and emerged victorious. The result means Celtic will now have to contend with the challenges of the Europa League, a significant step down from their ambitions of competing among Europe’s elite.
Rodgers, who has faced increasing pressure over Celtic’s European performances in recent seasons, was quick to acknowledge the weight of the disappointment. He admitted that while the team had shown moments of quality, lapses in concentration and decision-making ultimately cost them the tie. “We didn’t manage the game well enough in key moments,” he added.
Celtic’s early exit from the Champions League qualifying round will also have financial implications, as participation in the group stage of the tournament brings significant broadcasting and commercial revenue. For fans, the loss is another frustrating chapter in the club’s recent continental struggles.
The Celtic board and supporters will now turn their attention to how Rodgers and his squad respond in the Europa League, where expectations will remain high. While the defeat to Kairat Almaty has left a sour taste, Rodgers insisted that the team must quickly regroup and show character in the weeks ahead.
For a club of Celtic’s stature, nights like this serve as a stark reminder that in European football, nothing is guaranteed—and that unforced errors at the highest level often come with painful consequences.