Celtic: John Hartson on Brendan Rodgers, Stiliyan Petrov on Arne Engels
Another ex-Celtic player, Stiliyan Petrov, expects the club to spend this summer and suggests five more players like Daizen Maeda would be a good place to start. (Herald - subscription required), external
And Petrov expects Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, 22, to be "a completely different player next season". (Record), external
Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip
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AJ injury It's never a good sign when a player crumbles to the deck off the ball. Alistair Johnston looked stricken on the ground as he pulled up after racing back to cover a counter-attack. The Canadian international, who has made a brilliant start to the season, required medical attention and was eventually stretchered off at 35 minutes. Deputy Anthony Ralston was subbed on as his replacement as he linked up with James Forrest down the right-hand side. However, Johnston's prognosis will be a major concern for Rodgers, especially amidst a crucial run of games. It looks almost certain that the 26-year-old will miss Saturday's visit of Livingston, next week's jaunt Kazakhstan and the small matter of a Glasgow derby at Ibrox. Rodgers has made it clear he's in the hunt for a new left-back to serve as back-up to Kieran Tierney. If Johnston is out for the long term, he'll need to dip into the market for another right-back too. Our of tune Playing against a team ranked 315th in UEFA's coefficients - even lower than St Johnstone - most fans thought it'd be a case of how many against an unknown side from Central Asia. But the Hoops looked completely out of sync, especially in the first-half. Nothing clicked and disgruntled fans made their voices heard as one too many passes went astray. The ever-reliable James Forrest, Swedish playmaker Nygren and Japanese maestro Reo Hatate were guilty of overcooking too many balls. It was a thoroughly disappointing first 45 minutes from the Hoops, who could have no complaints about going into the break goalless. In fact, Almaty came close to going ahead, only for Valeri Gromyko's close-range tap-in to be disallowed for offside. Shockingly, Celts headed down the tunnel with an XG of just 0.05 after registering just two shots. Celtic did show more energy after the restart but their lack of cutting edge was laid bare by the fact they ended the night with only two efforts on target. There was a complete lack of urgency, intensity and creativity. Idah hooked It looks like Rodgers is running out of patience with £9million striker Adam Idah. The Irishman barely touched the ball in an anonymous showing. As the second most expensive signing in the club's history, these are the nights when you expect the former Norwich star to come alive and repay the fee. But the out-of-sorts 24-year-old was sacrificed at the break as Rodgers made a much-needed tactical switch. South Korean winger Yang continues to blow hot and cold but he made an immediate difference after being thrown on for a crucial second-half. He occupied the left-hand flank as last year's 33-goal hitman, Maeda, was deployed through the middle to try and break down the stubborn Kairat defence. But it didn't work out. Sack the board The Green Brigade vented their fury at directors sitting in the comfy seats as the clock ticked down. Chants of 'sack the board' rang around Parkhead, with all corners of the stadium joining in. Chairman Peter Lawwell and chief exec Michael Nicholson were told in no uncertain terms where to go as supporters let rip at the club's moneymen for failing to back Rodgers in the transfer market - and gambling a place in the Champions League group stages. Fans have coughed up fortunes already this season on increased season ticket prices, endless merchandise and Celtic TV subscriptions. It's no wonder they're feeling short-changed with tens of millions gathering dust in the Bank of Parkhead. Golden boy There aren't too many household names in Kairat's squad. But all the talk beforehand was about Chelsea-bound wonderkid Dastan Satpaev. The golden boy of Almaty has agreed a deal that will see him move to Stamford Bridge when he turns 18 next August. And it's clear the most talked about youngster in Kazakhstan is destined to have a huge future in the game. He almost broke the deadlock early into the second-half with an audacious long-range lob that narrowly sailed over the bar - much to the relief of scrambling keeper Kasper Schmeichel. However, the 5ft 5in youngster was - quite literally - overshadowed by Brazilian powerhouse Edmilson. The former Celtic striker is a big unit and bulldozed Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales, causing huge problems in the air. He won the high ball before Kairat's offside finish and had the Hoops backline in knots at times. Rafael Urazbakhtin's men have already punched well above their weight by reaching this stage in the competition for the first time in their history. After stunning Slovan Bratislava in the last round, lightning struck twice in Glasgow. Celts have made hard work of it in the former Soviet republic in the past, and Rodgers' men will have to be at their best to rescue this tie in Almaty. The last time Callum McGregor and James Forrest were in Kazakhstan in 2019, Scotland were on the wrong end of a 3-0 spanking. They'll need a different outcome on Tuesday.
