JUST 30 Celtic fans are expected to fly more than 3500 miles to watch their team play in Kazakhstan next week.

The club are due to meet Shakhter Karagandy in Astana, the capital city of the former Soviet Republic, in their Champions League play-off tie.

But two travel firms have scrapped plans to take Celtic fans to the match.

And Celtic officials say letters in support of visa applications have been issued to only about 30 fans.

For those making the marathon journey to Central Asia, it will mean a round trip of up to 30 hours and at least four connecting flights with a variety of routes, including changeovers at Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Vienna, Kiev and Istanbul.

Barrhead Travel has ditched a supporters' package and so has Milngavie-based Hynds Travel, which specialises in travel deals for football supporters.

Manager Iain Hynds admitted: "We are not laying on a plane because of logistical reasons and because of the short turnround for visas.

"I don't know anyone else who is planning a charter flight to Kazakhstan.

"I know one or two supporters are making their way there via Kiev, compared with the 250 who flew out to Sweden for Celtic's last European match.

"Kazakhstan is a very difficult place to get too. It's a logistical nightmare and having just five working days to sort out a visa has made it all the more difficult. The draw was only made last Friday."

Thomas Cook Sport provides charter flights and accommodation for Euro games, but it has also ruled out a trip to Kazakhstan.

A spokeswoman said: "Due to extremely high costs relating to peak summer season and the proximity of the fixture date in relation to obtaining visas, we are unable to offer Celtic supporters' trips to Kazakhstan and apologise for any inconvenience caused."

Joe O'Rourke, general secretary of the Celtic Supporters' Association, which represents up to 20,000 fans, said he knew of just a handful who had inquired about visas.

Mr O'Rourke: "I know of only two guys who were going to London to try to get visas. They haven't got back to me to say whether they were successful."

He said the journey, the costs and the need for time off work had deterred fans.

Mr O'Rourke added: "It's a real shame, especially for a lot of people who are proud they have never missed a game home or away.

"But I don't see too many supporters queueing up to make this trip. There are just too many hurdles for them to get over, but I suppose one or two with a bit of money might get a seat on the team plane.

However, a Celtic official said: "Unfortunately, there will be no seats available for fans on the team plane."

Stay-at-home fans will be able to watch all the action in the pub or at home because the game is being shown live on ITV4 with a 4pm kick-off - Celtic Park time.

gordon.thomson@eveningtimes.co.uk