Celtic have left themselves with it all to do to reach the Champions League after a surprise defeat to Kazakhstan champions Shakhter Karagandy in the first leg of their play-off at the Astana Arena.

Aberdeen 0 Celtic 2

Celtic boss Neil Lennon says the Parkhead club have not given up on their pursuit of Schalke striker Teemu Pukki.

Arsenal have been drawn to face Turkish club Fenerbahce in the Champions League play-offs.

Kazakhstan’s Czech coach Miroslav Beranek has a novel take on World Cup Group C, suggesting that, like some unholy trinity, it’s really three groups in one.

MCDOWELL’S pub in Inchicore rose in acclamation of Pete Mahon when the St Patrick’s Athletic boss popped in after his side’s win against Shakhter Karagandy on Thursday night.

St. Patrick's Athletic 2 Shakhter Karagandy 0 (St. Pat's won 3-2 on aggregate)

LEADING 1-0 from the home leg, Shamrock Rovers still have a lot to do to see off Flora Tallinn in the Champions League in Estonia next Tuesday but, if they can manage that, the Irish champions now know they will face FC Copenhagen in the next round.

DEREK DOYLE, their match-winner in Europe last week, maintained his scoring flush with a well-taken double, but it wasn’t enough as St Pat’s failed to get the win required to regain the leadership of the Premier Division yesterday.

SHAMROCK ROVERS will face Estonian champions FC Flora in the UEFA Champions League second round qualifiers, the draw for which was made at UEFA headquarters in Nyon yesterday.