Astana: A factfile of Celtic’s opponents

Celtic are just one round away from securing their place in the Champions League group stages ahead of their tie with familiar foes Astana. Last season the Hoops beat the Kazakhstan champions courtesy of a last minute penalty from Moussa Dembele.

Brendan Rodgers’ side have beaten Linfield and Rosenborg en route to reaching the Champions League play-off, while Astana have overcome Spartaks Jurmala  of Latvia and Polish side Legia Warsaw to reach this round.

Overview

Founded in 2009, Astana, have been champions of Kazakhstan for the last three years. The Astana Arena, which has become a familiar to Celtic fans in recent seasons, holds a capacity of 30,000. The biggest issue though with the stadium is the pitch. Celtic fans will remember the partially burnt artificial surface which the Hoops played on last season. Currently Astana are top of their league, seven points ahead of Kairat Almaty after 23 matches so far this season.

European Pedigree

Astana have been regulars in European competition over the last few years. In the 2015/16 season Astana became the first ever side from Kazakhstan to qualify for the Champions League group stages. Having had Galatasaray, Benfica and Atletico Madrid in their group, Astana, were unbeaten against all three at the Astana Arena. Ultimately, they finished bottom of the group with their away performances hindering their chances of progression.

Last season though, after being eliminated by Celtic in the Champions League qualifiers, Astana beat BATE Borisov in the Europa League play-offs and qualified for the group stages of that tournament. In their group they faced Olympiacos, APOEL and Young Boys, but again finished bottom of their group.

While winning only one of their group games at home to APOEL, Astana drew their remaining home matches but again failed to pick up anything away from Kazakhstan. Arguably this is their biggest weakness in European competition, although it is very difficult to pick up a result in the Astana Arena.

Danger Men

Of the 18 man squad who faced Celtic in the second leg at Parkhead last year, 12 players remain. Some Astana players caught the eye last season when the two teams faced each other and those same players are the main danger men this time.

Patrick Twumasi, who gave Celtic a torrid time in Astana last year, has scored three goals in Champions League qualifying so far. His pace and trickery could be an issue for Celtic but the Ghanaian is a hot prospect at the minute and could leave Astana if bids were to come in for him.

Junior Kabananga is the other main threat to Celtic’s Champions League ambitions. The Congolese striker has netted 15 goals in 26 appearances this season for Astana and has also scored in Champions League qualifying too. Roman Murtazayev is the other key player if he features. The Kazakh winger scored an impressive 18 goals in 32 appearances last for his club Irtysh Pavlodar, before signing for Astana this season.

Astana Line-up vs Legia Warsaw last time out (4-2-3-1): Mokin (GK); Shomko (LB), Anicic (CB) Logvinenko (CB) Shitov (RB); Maevski (CM) Kleinheisler (CM); Murtazayev (LW) Muzhikov (CAM) Twumasi (RW); Kabananga (ST)

Where the tie could be won and lost

Celtic go into this tie fresh off the back from winning all three competitive domestic games this season. After winning in Rosenborg two weeks ago, the Hoops will hope to take a positive result to Kazakhstan this time, where they will aim to seal off the tie.

In last season’s play-off first leg match against Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Celtic rushed out of the blocks and clinically disposed Hapoel’s defence. However, the Hoops biggest issue that night was the defensive lapse that cost the Hoops two goals in the space of a few minutes. At the moment Rodgers has arguably a stronger squad than last season, but injuries to key players have tied his hands.

Regardless, the biggest worry for Celtic is up top. With Dembele out until September, Leigh Griffiths has been wrapped in cotton wool ahead of the tie in the last few matches. The gamble for Rodgers is can Griffiths play a full 90 mins without injury? If he were to pick up an injury in the first leg then potentially the Hoops could travel to Kazakhstan without a recognised striker.

The other debate is whether or not Celtic will sign another player before the 11pm deadline on Tuesday, for the Champions League squad. The Hoops have the option to add a wildcard player if they were to sign within the next 24 hours or so.

Ideally the Bhoys will want to push Astana to the limit at Celtic Park on Wednesday and build up a big enough lead to take to Kazakhstan. Astana, who rarely travel well in Europe, will aim to keep a clean sheet and take a positive scoreline back to Kazakhstan. A clean sheet though for the Hoops is imperative which is why Rodgers may look at Kristoffer Ajer or Mikael Lustig to play at centre-back, as opposed Nir Bitton, who isn’t as defensively aware as them.

Off the pitch though the fans can be Rodgers’ 12th man on Wednesday night. Celtic Park is at its best when it’s intimidating and as loud as possible for the opposition. A red-hot atmosphere at Paradise usually brings the best out of Celtic and its fans.

It’s noise like this which may keep the team going…

🎥 | It's back 💚 pic.twitter.com/NXVPsGjtKY

— Read Celtic and The Trinity Tims (@ReadCeltic) July 19, 2017