UEFA make announcement about Kairat Almaty vs Celtic game

Of course, there has been a lot of talk about potential signings around Celtic over the last few days. The club look to be on the verge of completing the additions of Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Marcelo Saracchi, with both deals agreed with their respective clubs. More fresh faces are expected to arrive between now and the end of the window. But before all that, they need to get past Kairat Almaty to get into the group phase of the Champions League.

The long away trip to Kazakhstan was always viewed as a test for this Celtic team. And it got significantly tougher when the Hoops could only manage a goalless draw in the first leg at Parkhead.

Celtic's away record in Europe has not been much to write home about. And in this current situation, they have to be viewed as underdogs going into the second leg, despite being handed a relatively easy tie for the qualifier.

The officials for the game have now been confirmed as well. As reported by The Herald, Maurizio Mariani will be the referee on the night with Daniele Bindoni & Alberto Tegoni as his assistants. Matteo Marchetti will be the fourth official. Marco Di Bello will be on his VAR and his assistant will be Valerio Marini.

UEFA make announcement about Kairat Almaty vs Celtic game

Of course, the best thing is always if the officials do not end up having any real impact on a game of football. We will be hoping for the same this evening as well.

Celtic must make it through this picture. Of course, questions need to be asked about why signings were not made in time.

But even then, this team has enough quality to get past Kairat. One can only hope that they are able to do that.