The Celtic vs Kairat matchup has attracted significant attention due to the contrasting profiles of the two clubs. Celtic, one of Scotland’s most successful teams, regularly competes in European competitions, while Kairat Almaty has emerged as one of Kazakhstan’s strongest clubs in recent years. Based on available statistical data, Celtic enters the matchup as the favorite, although Kairat has demonstrated defensive resilience in previous meetings.
Key Statistics
| Statistic | Celtic | Kairat Almaty |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Analyzed | 63 | 66 |
| Wins | 40 | 30 |
| Draws | 9 | 17 |
| Losses | 14 | 19 |
| Goals Scored | 121 | 95 |
| Goals Conceded | 75 | 70 |
| Goals Per Match | 1.92 | 1.44 |
| Goals Conceded Per Match | 1.19 | 1.06 |
| Possession Average | 61.65% | 51.25% |
| Over 1.5 Goals | 81% | 65% |
| Over 2.5 Goals | 68% | 45% |
| BTTS Rate | 59% | 45% |
| Clean Sheets | 33% | 41% |
| Yellow Cards Per Match | 1.87 | 1.97 |
| Red Cards Per Match | 0.05 | 0.17 |
Source statistics derived from recent competitive matches and club form data.
Career Overview
Celtic
Celtic Football Club is one of the most decorated clubs in Scottish football history. Founded in 1887 and based in Glasgow, Celtic has won numerous Scottish Premiership titles, domestic cups, and the 1967 European Cup. The club regularly qualifies for UEFA competitions and has established itself as a consistent participant on the European stage.
Kairat Almaty
Kairat Almaty is among Kazakhstan’s most prominent football clubs. Based in Almaty, Kairat has won multiple Kazakhstan Premier League titles and domestic cup competitions. The club has increased its European competitiveness during the past decade and has become a regular participant in UEFA qualifying tournaments.
The matchup represents a classic battle between an established European football institution and an ambitious club from an emerging football nation.
Career Statistics
Celtic Team Statistics
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches | 63 |
| Wins | 40 |
| Draws | 9 |
| Losses | 14 |
| Goals For | 121 |
| Goals Against | 75 |
| Win Percentage | 63% |
| Goals Per Match | 1.92 |
| Possession | 61.65% |
Kairat Team Statistics
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches | 66 |
| Wins | 30 |
| Draws | 17 |
| Losses | 19 |
| Goals For | 95 |
| Goals Against | 70 |
| Win Percentage | 45% |
| Goals Per Match | 1.44 |
| Possession | 51.25% |
These figures indicate Celtic’s superior attacking output and overall winning percentage.
Season-by-Season Stats
Celtic Recent Performance Snapshot
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Last 6 Matches | 6 Wins |
| Goals Scored | 17 |
| Goals Per Match | 2.83 |
| Clean Sheets | 0 |
| BTTS Matches | 6 |
| Over 2.5 Goals | 6/6 |
Kairat Recent Performance Snapshot
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Last 6 Matches | 3 Wins |
| Goals Scored | 7 |
| Goals Per Match | 1.17 |
| Draws | 2 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Clean Sheets | 2 |
| BTTS Matches | 4 |
Recent form strongly favors Celtic offensively.
Records
Celtic
| Record | Achievement |
|---|---|
| European Cup Titles | 1 |
| Scottish League Titles | More than 50 |
| Scottish Cup Titles | More than 40 |
| League Cup Titles | More than 20 |
| First British Club to Win European Cup | 1967 |
Kairat Almaty
| Record | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Kazakhstan Premier League Titles | Multiple |
| Kazakhstan Cup Titles | Multiple |
| UEFA Competition Appearances | Regular Participant |
| Historic UCL Qualification | Achieved first Champions League league-phase qualification after defeating Celtic on penalties in 2025. |
Awards and Honors
Celtic
| Competition | Titles |
|---|---|
| European Cup | 1 |
| Scottish Premiership | 50+ |
| Scottish Cup | 40+ |
| Scottish League Cup | 20+ |
Kairat Almaty
| Competition | Titles |
|---|---|
| Kazakhstan Premier League | Multiple |
| Kazakhstan Cup | Multiple |
| Kazakhstan Super Cup | Multiple |
Some historical title counts vary depending on season updates and official federation records.
Performance Trends
Several notable trends emerge from the available statistics:
Celtic Trends
- Average 1.92 goals per match.
- 81% of matches exceed 1.5 goals.
- 68% of matches exceed 2.5 goals.
- Strong possession-based approach with over 61% average possession.
- Six consecutive victories entering the analyzed period.
Kairat Trends
- Lower scoring rate at 1.44 goals per match.
- Better clean-sheet percentage.
- More conservative style reflected in lower possession numbers.
- Strong defensive organization in European competition.
Historical Context
Historically, Scottish clubs have generally outperformed Kazakh clubs in UEFA competitions due to stronger domestic leagues, larger budgets, and deeper squads.
Celtic’s participation in elite European tournaments places them among the most experienced clubs in qualifying competition. Kairat, however, has become a symbol of Kazakhstan’s football growth and demonstrated that financial disparities do not always determine outcomes. Their successful penalty shootout victory over Celtic in 2025 marked one of the most significant achievements in the club’s history.
From a statistical perspective:
| Category | Celtic Advantage |
|---|---|
| Goals Per Match | Yes |
| Possession | Yes |
| Win Rate | Yes |
| European Experience | Yes |
| Defensive Efficiency | Slightly favors Kairat |
Head-to-Head Statistics
Celtic vs Kairat Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Celtic | Kairat |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 2 | 2 |
| Wins | 0 | 0 |
| Draws | 2 | 2 |
| Goals Scored | 0 | 0 |
| Goals Conceded | 0 | 0 |
Match Results
| Date | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Aug 2025 | Celtic vs Kairat | 0-0 |
| 26 Aug 2025 | Kairat vs Celtic | 0-0 (Kairat won penalties 3-2) |
Head-to-Head Trends
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Draw Percentage | 100% |
| Over 2.5 Goals | 0% |
| Under 2.5 Goals | 100% |
| BTTS | 0% |
| Goals Scored Combined | 0 |
The historical meetings have been exceptionally defensive and low-scoring.
Recent Form
Celtic Last Six Matches
| Result Trend |
|---|
| W |
| W |
| W |
| W |
| W |
| W |
Goals scored during this period: 17.
Kairat Last Six Matches
| Result Trend |
|---|
| L |
| D |
| W |
| D |
| W |
| W |
Goals scored during this period: 7.
Form Comparison
| Category | Celtic | Kairat |
|---|---|---|
| Last 6 Wins | 6 | 3 |
| Goals Scored | 17 | 7 |
| Goals Per Match | 2.83 | 1.17 |
| Momentum | Strong | Moderate |
Statistical Highlights
- Celtic averages 1.92 goals per match.
- Kairat averages 1.44 goals per match.
- Celtic holds a 63% win rate compared to Kairat’s 45%.
- Celtic averages over 61% possession.
- The two clubs’ first two official meetings ended scoreless.
- Kairat became only the second Kazakh club to reach the Champions League league phase after defeating Celtic on penalties.
- Celtic scored 17 goals across their most recent six-match sample.
- Kairat maintained a stronger clean-sheet percentage than Celtic in the analyzed dataset.
Celtic vs Kairat Prediction
Based strictly on available statistics:
| Outcome | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Celtic Win | Most likely |
| Draw | Possible |
| Kairat Win | Less likely but proven capable |
| Under 2.5 Goals | Historically supported |
| Celtic to Score First | Statistically favored |
Prediction models examined across multiple statistical platforms favored Celtic with probabilities ranging from approximately 62% to 77% for victory.
The strongest statistical case is built around Celtic’s superior scoring rate, possession numbers, and winning percentage. Kairat’s best path historically has been defensive discipline and limiting goal-scoring opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is favored in Celtic vs Kairat?
Celtic is generally favored due to stronger attacking numbers, higher possession rates, and greater European experience.
What is the head-to-head record between Celtic and Kairat?
The teams have played two official matches, both ending 0-0. Kairat advanced via a 3-2 penalty shootout.
How many goals have Celtic and Kairat scored against each other?
Neither side scored during regulation or extra time across their first two meetings.
Which team has the better recent form?
Celtic entered the analyzed period with six consecutive victories and 17 goals scored.
What is Celtic’s average goals-per-game rate?
Celtic averages 1.92 goals per match.
What is Kairat’s average goals-per-game rate?
Kairat averages 1.44 goals per match.
Has Kairat ever eliminated Celtic from Europe?
Yes. Kairat eliminated Celtic in the 2025 UEFA Champions League qualifying playoffs after winning a penalty shootout following two scoreless draws.
Sources and References
Statistics and verification were compiled from:
- UEFA official competition records.
- Celtic FC official club statistics.
- FC Kairat official club statistics.
- Reuters match reports and UEFA competition coverage.
- Match statistical databases and historical head-to-head records.
- European competition analysis and prediction datasets.
Where complete historical season-by-season data could not be independently verified from official competition records, it has not been included to avoid presenting unverified statistics.
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