Celtic's Champions League hopes hang by a thread after a damaging 0-0 home draw with Kairat Almaty at Parkhead. The stalemate leaves Brendan Rodgers' side facing an uphill battle in Tuesday's return leg to secure qualification worth approximately £40 million.
Rodgers admitted he always feared this outcome after a summer of inadequate transfer activity. "I think it was pretty clear. You didn't need to look into the future too far," the manager said when asked if he anticipated problems following his repeated pleas for reinforcements.
Frustrated supporters turned on the club hierarchy with chants of "Sack the Board" echoing around the stadium at full-time. According to the Scotsman, the Green Brigade specifically targeted chairman Peter Lawwell and CEO Michael Nicholson, who watched from the stands as discontent grew.
Transfer failings exposed
Celtic still lack direct replacements for departed stars Kyogo Furuhashi and Nicolas Kuhn ahead of this crucial tie. The squad depth crisis became painfully evident as the team struggled to create clear-cut chances against organised Kazakhstani opposition.
The BBC reports that Celtic signed seven players this summer but only two of those new arrivals started this pivotal match. The Scotsman describes the squad as the "lightest we've been" in key areas despite the summer activity.
Rodgers described his team's first-half performance as particularly concerning. "What I saw in the first half of the performance, we didn't start with the intent and the mentality that we wanted to. We were quite passive," he explained.
Fan pressure mounts
When pressed about the audible protests from supporters, Rodgers offered a measured response about the traditional dynamics of football discontent. "What I do know is, over many years, 'sack the board' usually means 'sack the manager'. It's normally the manager that goes when that starts to be sung," he said.
The manager deflected questions about whether fans should accept how the club is being run. "Well listen, that's not for me to answer. I can answer for the team and what we're doing," Rodgers replied.
Tactical changes required
Adam Idah was hooked at half-time after another ineffective display up front. "Adam's a good boy. He's an honest boy. He hasn't quite started how he would have liked. But in games like these here, I can't afford to wait," Rodgers said of the substitution.
The manager's problems deepened when defender Alistair Johnston was stretchered off with a suspected hamstring injury. Celtic now face a gruelling 3,500-mile journey to Kazakhstan knowing they must score to keep their Champions League dreams alive.
Sources used: "PA Media", "Daily Mail", "Scotsman", "BBC" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
