Celtic out of Champions League after penalty shoot-out defeat to Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan

Celtic have failed to reach the Champions League after they lost a penalty shoot-out to Kairat Almaty in their play-off second leg.

After a goalless draw in the first leg in Glasgow, Celtic made the long trip to Kazakhstan knowing they would face a tough test if they were to reach the Champions League proper for the fourth season in a row.

Over another 90 minutes in Kairat’s Central Stadium, neither side could muster a goal and chances were few and far between. Extra time didn’t provide a goal to separate the sides and a shoot-out was required to decide who would progress to glamour games and around £40m in revenue.

In a game short on clear opportunities, Celtic had the best of a poor first half when James Forrest’s header was tipped on to the bar.

After the restart, both sides struggled to find any creativity or ruthlessness in the final third, but as the clock ticked down, Celtic seemed to be gaining the upper hand as Kairat appeared to tire.

A back pass from Callum McGregor, which looped up and had to be handled by Kasper Schmeichel, gave the hosts a chance from an indirect free-kick in the box and their appeals for a penalty were ignored when a shot was smashed off Daizen Maeda.

The Japanese was then involved in the biggest moment of regulation time. An incisive McGregor pass sent Maeda clear through and a goal so late on would surely have been decisive. The forward blasted his shot over the bar and extra time was needed.

The additional thirty minutes saw Celtic exert a little more control but to no avail so progress, and the prizes, came down to penalties.

With the first penalty of the shoot-out, Adam Idah saw his effort saved but Valery Gromyko hit the bar with a failed Panenka to keep it level.

Luke McCowan saw his penalty saved and Alyaksandyr Martynovich netted to put Kairat one ahead. Arne Engels made no mistake with his spot kick but Ofri Arad restored the lead for the hosts.

Callum McGregor nailed Celtic’s fourth and Yegor Sorokin coolly netted to put the pressure on Daizen Maeda, who had to score to keep Celtic in the competition.

Maeda saw his effort saved and Celtic’s Champions League hopes were ended. Attention will now turn to the consolation of a place in the Europa League and Friday’s League Phase draw.