Parkhead will play vital role, Rodgers believes

Brendan Rodgers believes Celtic’s Champions League opponents will be in for the experience of a lifetime when they visit Parkhead this season.

The Hoops were drawn in Group B along with German giants Bayern Munich, free-spending French side Paris St-Germain and Belgian champions Anderlecht.

The Hoops manager described the group as “amazing” and claimed Celtic Park will prove again to be inspiring and intimidating.

Ahead of the visit of St Johnstone in the Ladbrokes Premiership today, the Northern Irishman said: “Teams will look at it and know it will be a tough game and a tough evening.

“I know it myself as a manager. There are various grounds and various teams that can make it very intimidating for your players, and that in turn can make it very difficult.”

Rodgers will assess Jozo Simunovic ahead of the visit by St Johnstone.

The Hoops defender has missed the last two matches with a knock but trained yesterday morning.

Defender Dedryck Boyata is back training after recovering from a knee injury but is a few weeks away from full fitness. Stopper Erik Sviatchenko, midfielder Eboue Kouassi (ankle) and striker Moussa Dembele (hamstring), remain out.

Rodgers confirmed that 20-year-old defender Rivaldo Coetzee will undergo a medical this weekend to conclude his move from South African side Ajax Cape Town.

Rodgers said: “Hopefully he’ll come through his medical over the weekend which should be great so he should be a very good addition to our squad.

“He is with the South Africa national team and we will look to see him after that.”

Rodgers had nothing to add to the prospect of winger Patrick Roberts returning from Manchester City for a second loan spell.

Picture: SNS. Dedryck Boyata is back in training but a few weeks away from full fitness.