What can Celtic learn from Aberdeen's Almaty trip?

Google Maps Kheredine Idessane BBC Sport Scotland

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It is the Champions League trip Celtic had probably hoped to avoid.

A short hop to Slovakia and back would have been easier - logistically, at least - than a round-trip of 7,000 miles to Kazakhstan.

But Kairat Almaty upset the odds on Tuesday to beat Slovan Bratislava on penalties and set up a play-off with Celtic.

The first leg is in Glasgow next Wednesday but the return, six days later, is about 360 miles from the Dzungarian Gate border crossing into China.

The quickest flight time from London to Almaty is more than eight hours. So when Celtic charter their plane, players and staff will be able to get through about four films at least. And that is just the outward jou

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