Celtic fans reacted with some trepidation to the Europa League draw that paired them with Zenit St Petersburg.
Brendan Rodgers’ side could have been drawn against Arsenal, Atletico Madrid or AC Milan in the round of 32 with most fans pleased to avoid the big names even though Zenit had the best record of the Europa League group winners..
As an bonus the Russian season doesn’t resume until March 4 with the games against Celtic scheduled for February 15 and 22 with part of the Zenit Stadium closed for the return tie due to racist chanting from their fans.
Zenit will knock us out if we don’t bring in a goalkeeper and a centre back in January.
— Mark Williams (@MarkWilliams95) December 11, 2017
Some right good games in the Connoisseur’s Cup – could have been worse for Celtic as good a time as any for Zenit #EuropaLeague
— SmiddyBhoy (@SmiddyBhoy1) December 11, 2017
Zenit.
– Won 3 of last 7 Russian titles, but not since 2015.
– Haven’t finished outside the top 3 since 2008.
– Currently 3rd in the league, 6pts behind Lokomotiv Moscow.
– Managed by Roberto Mancini
– Play FK Akhmat today in the league, then hibernate until March.— Moravcik67 (@Moravcik67_) December 11, 2017
At least we will be able to thank zenit properly on there visit to celtic park for beatin the huns in that final in manchester ????remember that ????a wonder if they’ll get invited to train at the world class auchenhowie or whatever they call it these days ????????????????
— once a tim (@johnbhoy1977) December 11, 2017
Zenit are not in the same class as Bayern or PSG
Anyway they’ve got the holiday heid on,2 months aff after today
Tough but could have been worse— 1 Goldstar?67 (@67Goldstar) December 11, 2017
Zenit St. Petersburg spent £76.50m this season on players. Celtic spent around £5.8m excluding loan fees. Get the biscuit tin out and rattled, Peter.
— Aidan Kerr ???????????? (@AidanKerrTweets) December 11, 2017
The best form guide is that Zenit won 3-1 at home to Rosenborg and drew 1-1 in Norway on their way to topping Group L ahead of Real Sociedad with an impressive 16 points.
Zenit are managed by Roberto Mancini who was in charge of Inter Milan when they played Celtic three years ago in the last 32 of the Europa League.
While Zenit will be formidable opponents literally catching them cold in February without a competitive match in two months greatly increases Celtic’s chances of progress.
Zenit won the 2008 UEFA Cup, beating Rangers (IL) 2-0 in riot torn Manchester.