By AFP
PARIS: Celtic鈥檚 Champions League hopes are firmly in the balance after they were held to a goalless draw by Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan in Glasgow in the first leg of their play-off tie on Wednesday, while Jose Mourinho鈥檚 Fenerbahce played out a goalless draw with Benfica.
The Scottish champions pushed Bayern Munich close in the knockout phase play-offs last season after finishing 21st out of 36 teams in the league stage.
But Brendan Rodgers鈥檚 team could not break down the champions of Kazakhstan, who have already come through three qualifying rounds to get to this stage and are eyeing a first ever appearance in the competition proper.
James Forrest was denied by a great save from Kairat goalkeeper Aleksandr Zarutskiy right at the start of the second half from one of few clear chances that fell Celtic鈥檚 way at Parkhead.
At the other end, Brazilian Edmilson saw a chip from inside the centre circle for Kairat land on the roof of the net following a mistake by Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers.