How Celtic survived handball appeal after 'truly remarkable' indirect free-kick in UEFA Champions League play-off tie - 'He gets away with that'

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Celtic eventually lost their UEFA Champions League play-off tie against FC Kairat on penalties, but they were fortunate to force extra-time after surviving a "remarkable" indirect free-kick. Kasper Schmeichel gave away the set-piece as he handled the ball to avoid conceding a disastrous own-goal. The effort from six yards out was then blocked by Daizen Maeda's arms, but nothing was given.

Celtic survive bizarre close-range free-kick and handball appeals

Video credit: TNT Sports

Celtic survived a "remarkable" series of defensive scares in quick succession in their UEFA Champions League play-off against FC Kairat.

Brendan Rodgers' side eventually lost on penalties to the team from Almaty after the tie finished 0-0, meaning they will drop into the UEFA Europa League, but they rode their luck in forcing the shoot-out.

In the 51st minute of the second leg, the Scottish side gave away an indirect free-kick right in front of their goal as Kasper Schmeichel was forced to handle a back-pass to avoid a calamitous own-goal.

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From the resulting set-piece and from a matter of yards out, Kairat then had appeals for a penalty waved away after Daizen Maeda appeared to block the effort on goal with his arms.

Commentating for TNT Sports, Dave Farrar described the incident as "truly remarkable".

The indirect free-kick came after Celtic captain Callum McGregor prodded a volleyed pass back to his goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

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The ball bounced in front of Schmeichel and looked like it was looping over him and into the back of the net, forcing the Denmark international to stop the ball with his hand before punching away.

Andy Townsend noted on commentary: "Because it bounced on and around the six-yard line, it bounced so high, he had to [handle the ball] in the end."

The indirect free-kick was awarded to Kairat on the edge of the six-yard box, but their effort on goal, aimed towards the top-right corner, was blocked by Maeda.

However, the ball appeared to strike the arms of the Celtic man, who was holding them in front of his face, leading to huge appeals for a penalty from the home side.

There was a brief check by the video assistant referee (VAR), but it was quickly completed, with the decision made not to award a spot-kick as Celtic's clean sheet remained intact.

Analysing the incident, Townsend said: "It certainly hits his hands, right in front of his face.

"Because his hands were tucked in is the only reason I can think of why he gets away with that. It's struck him on almost both arms."

But that was where Celtic's luck ran out, with Adam Idah, Luke McCowan and Maeda all missing penalties as the Scottish side were beaten in the shoot-out.

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