Rodgers looking for Hoops to up game in Europa League

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers hopes the Europa League clash with Zenit St Petersburg on Thursday night brings out the best in the Scottish champions.

The Northern Irishman noted some defensive flaws in the 3-2 William Hill Scottish Cup win over Partick Thistle at Parkhead on Saturday, with winger James Forrest scoring his first hat-trick for the Hoops to take his tally for the season to 16.

At 2-0 up after 10 minutes Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic’s slack back pass allowed Jags striker Kris Doolan to nip in and reduce the deficit.

And with six minutes remaining, Simunovic allowed Thistle substitute Conor Sammon to fire in a second to set up a nervy finale, where Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney prevented Ryan Edwards grabbing an injury-time leveller with a timely challenge yards from goal.

Zenit visit Parkhead in the first leg, with the return game in Russia the following week.

Rodgers said: “We will clearly need to play better than we did on Saturday, but hopefully the occasion brings that performance up.”

Meanwhile, Steve Clarke remains cagey about Kilmarnock’s chances in the cup despite progressing through to the last 16.

Killie produced a clinical performance to see off Highland League side Brora Rangers 4-0 at Rugby Park, and are strong candidates to reach Hampden given their form.

Despite the win, there is no time for Killie to sit back and relax with Dundee due to arrive tomorrow in the Premiership.

Clarke, whose side have now won six successive matches at Rugby Park while conceding just two goals, said: “We have a good run of form here at home and it was good to keep that going.

“We’ve got Dundee coming down on Tuesday night and that will be a tough one for us. We have to work as hard as we can for three points.”

Alex Jakubiak gave Falkirk the lead in a frantic start against Cove at Harlaw Park with a goal after two minutes but Mitchel Megginson replied within a minute.

Craig Sibbald made it 2-1 Falkirk after 46 minutes, and Jakubiak grabbed his second two minutes later.