![\"Edmilson](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_Celtic-v-Kairat-UEFA-Champions-League-Play-Offs-First-Leg-Celtic-Park.jpg\")
Edmilson goes down injured at Parkhead(Image: PA)<\/p>\nEdmilson Filho is now out and becomes the fifth major absence facing Kairat ahead of tonight’s gameEdmilson goes down injured at Parkhead(Image: PA)<\/p>\n
Kairat Almaty have been dealt yet another injury blow after the news that forward Edmilson Filho will miss tonight’s return leg with Celtic<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Kazakh side battled to a 0-0 draw at Parkhead and, with the Hoops facing a near 5,000 mile return trip to the high altitudes and even higher temperatures in the far reaches of the central Asian nation, many believe they are a good bet to upset the odds and qualify for the Champions League<\/a>.<\/p>\n But, as far as the bookies are concerned, Brendan Rodgers’ men are still heavy favourites.<\/p>\n And that’s perhaps in no small part down to the mounting personnel crisis facing Kairat boss Rafael Urazbakhtin<\/a>.<\/p>\n He already knew he’d be without Chelsea<\/a>-bound wonderkid Dastan Satpayev, who is suspended after picking up a needless 100th-minute booking in the first leg for blocking Arne Engel’s free-kick.<\/p>\n Kairat also lost first-choice keeper Alexander Zarutsky to injury in the first leg and he’ll be replaced with rookie 21-year-old Temirlan Anarbekob.<\/p>\n Portuguese left-back Luis Mata and Georgia cap Giorgi Zaria also remain sidelined after missing the first leg.<\/p>\n And now, in addition to those four absences, it’s being reported in Kazakhstan that winger Edmilson is also going to miss out after picking up an injury in training.<\/p>\n The Brazilian has scored three times in 11 games since his summer move from NK Celje, and nearly had a fourth when he came within a hair of chipping Kasper Schmeichel from the halfway line at Parkhead.<\/p>\n It’s generally expected that Plzen loanee Ricardinho and 18-year-old Ramazan Bagdat will deputise for the key attacking duo but their penetration in the final third looks significantly weakened by Edmilson and Satpaev’s absences.<\/p>\n But boss Urazbakhtin isn’t short on confidence his side can do it anyway.<\/p>\n Speaking ahead of the game, he said: \u201cCeltic players may have underestimated us at home. Now they will look at our game in a different way. I think they will have a different motivation and attitude.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, there is a negative atmosphere around Celtic. But I think this is a team of high-level players. They are used to dealing with such issues.<\/p>\n \u201cThey understand that everything depends on them. We also think that everything depends on us.<\/p>\n \u201cI don’t think there is a bigger pressure on Celtic than on our home team.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will try to meet them and qualify for the group stage. And our task is to make it happen, to do everything we can.\u201d<\/p>\n Follow Record Sport<\/strong> on Twitter<\/a>, Facebook<\/a> and Instagram<\/a> for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.<\/p>\n You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Celtic<\/a> page, and sign up to our newsletters<\/a> to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.<\/p>\n We’re also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Celtic community here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tune in to Hotline Live<\/a> every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport’s newest podcast, Game On<\/a>, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.<\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756203192_854_0_Celtic-v-Kairat-UEFA-Champions-League-Play-Offs-First-Leg-Celtic-Park.jpg\")
(Image: PA)<\/p>\n