Although last season saw Celtic enter the league phase automatically, you don’t have to look too far back to previous qualification from the play-offs.

Wednesday evening will offer up that latest challenge, with the Kazak side travelling to Paradise for the first leg of the qualification tie.

The Celtic boss is well aware of the test his side face, going up against a team who are already midway through their league campaign.

However, Brendan Rodgers also believes the experience that he and some players within his squad have of this challenge from previous years will prove valuable.

“I think like a lot of teams at this level of qualification and in the Champions League are teams that are used to winning,” he said.

“You also look at them, they are 20 games into their season. They are well into the campaign, so they're going to be at a good level of fitness.

“They are a team that like to build the game from behind. Mostly short, and then as they progress through the pitch, the full backs go high, and the wingers come inside.

“So really as you would expect from a modern team at a really good level. Technically, they are strong and play some really good football.

'I think it’s very beneficial when you’ve gone through it, just for mindset, but also for preparation.'

“Travelling over there next week, having been the before and understanding how we do timings and set all of that up, it definitely helps to have gone through that qualification process before.”

Watch the manager's full press conference

How the team have been building in UCL Play-Off
Setting a platform with our performances
High training standards
Hunger ahead of FC Kairat tie
Previous UCL qualification ties

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Brendan Rodgers: We know the importance of a strong first leg at Paradise