Celtic striker speaks ahead of Champions League decider against Kairat

Tengrinews.kz – Celtic’s Swedish forward Benjamin Nygren has shared his thoughts ahead of the decisive second-leg clash with Almaty’s Kairat in the UEFA Champions League playoffs.

The 24-year-old emphasized that all focus is now on Tuesday’s match.

“Champions League playoff matches are always tough. We need to prove that we deserve to play in the Champions League. That’s why we have to go there, show a strong performance and reach the group stage. I’ve said many times that playing in the Champions League is a big dream for me, and I’ll do everything I can to achieve it,” Nygren said.

Kairat and Celtic played to a draw in the first leg in Glasgow. The return match will take place on August 26 at Almaty’s Central Stadium, with kickoff set for 9:45 pm local time. The winner will advance to the Champions League group stage, while the loser will continue in the Europa League.

While Kairat have not played in the domestic league since the European tie, Celtic returned to Scottish Premiership action, defeating Livingston 3:0 at home.

The first-leg encounter also sparked attention online: Google searches about Kazakhstan surged in Scotland following the unexpected draw.