‘I don’t want to see them in my locker room.’ Brendan Rodgers gives the order, goodbye to Three Celtic stars
In a night of high drama at the Almaty Central Stadium, FC Kairat Almaty stunned Celtic FC in a penalty shootout to knock the Scottish giants out of the UEFA Europa League qualifiers on August 26, 2025.
The 4-3 shootout loss, following a goalless 120 minutes, marked a new low for Celtic under Brendan Rodgers, whose post-match fury saw him demand that three key players to find new clubs immediately.
The defeat has sparked intense scrutiny of Celtic’s European ambitions and Rodgers’ squad management.
Celtic, heavy favorites against the Kazakhstani side, controlled possession from the outset.
Kyogo Furuhashi’s early runs troubled Kairat’s defense, but the Japanese striker’s finishing lacked precision. Matt O’Riley, often Celtic’s creative spark, found space but couldn’t unlock a stubborn backline.
Kairat, ranked far below Celtic in UEFA standings, absorbed pressure and countered sporadically, with João Paulo’s pace testing Joe Hart. As the match wore on, Celtic’s dominance waned.
Maeda squandered a close-range header in the 70th minute, while Hatate’s long-range shots flew harmlessly over. Extra time saw Carter-Vickers come closest, his header cleared off the line in a heart-stopping moment.
The penalty shootout exposed Celtic’s fragility. Captain Callum McGregor slotted home confidently, but Hatate’s weak effort was saved, Maeda’s strike clipped the bar, and Carter-Vickers’ tame shot was smothered by Kairat’s goalkeeper.
The hosts, roared on by a fervent crowd, converted four of five, with João Paulo’s decisive kick sealing a historic upset. For Celtic, the defeat echoed past European humiliations against the likes of Ferencvaros or Bodo/Glimt, amplifying fan frustration.
Rodgers’ post-match reaction was incendiary. In a tense press conference, the Celtic manager didn’t hold back. “This is nowhere near good enough for Celtic,” he fumed.
“We’ve got players who didn’t step up when it mattered most. I’ve told Reo, Daizen, and Cameron to look for new clubs—they let us down tonight.” The trio, all regulars in Celtic’s domestic dominance, bore the brunt of Rodgers’ ire for their shootout misses and lackluster Hatate, typically dynamic, appeared sluggish, while Maeda’s wastefulness proved costly.
Carter-Vickers, usually a defensive rock, was caught out positionally on Kairat’s rare attacks.
The fallout has ignited debate among Celtic supporters. Some back Rodgers’ ruthless stance, arguing that European failures demand accountability.
Others question his public scapegoating, especially of players integral to recent Scottish Premiership titles.
The transfer window, still open, could see movement, though offloading three key figures mid-season risks squad disruption. Kairat, meanwhile, celebrated a landmark victory, their players mobbed by ecstatic fans who see this as a triumph for Kazakhstani football.
For Rodgers, the pressure is now immense. Celtic’s domestic supremacy is unquestioned, but recurring European stumbles threaten his legacy. As the club regroups, the focus shifts to whether Hatate, Maeda, and Carter-Vickers can salvage their Celtic careers or if this shock defeat marks the end of their time in Glasgow.
The road ahead looks fraught, with fans demanding answers and Rodgers facing a defining moment.