Brendan Rodgers believes that a repeat of Celtic’s ‘near perfect’ first leg display against Xenit St Petersburg can catapult the hoops deep into the Europa League.
Despite stuttering domestic displays Celtic hit top form in the 1-0 win over the Russian’s last week and deserved more than a single goal to show for their efforts.
Zenit have spent time in an Italian training camp to prepare for the return leg but it seems that Rodgers and his players have recovered some of the confidence that they showed last season.
Progress tonight would take Celtic into the last 16 of the competition and an open draw as the big guns start to get serious with a Champions League place waiting for the winners of the Europa League.
“If we can play at the level we played in the first game we can be a match for any team,” Rodgers told the Daily Record.
“Of course there will always be an expectancy on the other team because of their standing and probably the quality they have.
“We were near perfect in the first game. I’m hoping if we play to that level again over here then we’ve got a great opportunity to go through.
“In a lot of the away games in Europe, if you take out the real superpowers we’ve faced, then we’ve generally played pretty well.
“It’s important you stay calm. No matter how it goes we are always going to be in the game.
“When the group are together and focused we are playing well. It gives us a great chance but we respect it’s a tough game.”
Rodgers is expected to start with the same side he had last week built around a three man midfield of Scott Brown, Olivier Ntcham and Eboue Kouassi.