HIGH HOPES

probably the quality that they have.”

With temperatures as low as -16 forecast today, Zenit’s decision to close the roof of the new home they moved into last summer has understandably been welcomed by Rodgers. The startling sight of locals walking their dogs on the frozen Neva River underlined the extreme conditions in St Petersburg.

“If it keeps the cold out, that’s great,” smiled Rodgers. “I’m looking forward to the experience in what I believe is a fantastic stadium. The pitch looks really good and that will suit us.”

Rodgers hopes Celtic can strike the right balance between protecting their lead and utilising their own creative threats in pursuit of an away goal which would add further pressure on Zenit.

“We know we can do that,” he said. “We can come to here and defend like we did when we had to in the first game, show the composure on the ball and we know we have quality players who can create chances.

“We would want to score here. Our idea is to go and win

“There’s only so much youcandoinaweek. After the game at Celtic Park, Zenit went toromeforafew days training and now they’re back here. They themselves will expect to play better. They have to, when you look at the game last week. We were the real team of dominance in every aspect of the game”

BRENDAN RODGERS the game. If we can’t win it, okay, try not to lose it. That’s key. We believe we can score and that’s what we want to do. But it’s important that we keep our concentration. If we can do that and attack well alongside that, we believe we will score.”