Free-scoring 26-yr-old could blow Celtic away: Three Zenit players Rodgers must watch out for
COMMENT
Celtic face a difficult task when they take on Zenit in the Europa League last 32 at Parkhead on Thursday night. Not only does Brendan Rodgers' side have almost a full team of players out injured, including key men like Craig Gordon, Dedryck Boyata and Leigh Griffiths, but they will be taking on a team assembled at far more expense than the Hoops could dream of. Roberto Mancini's side are currently in second place in the Russian league but haven't played a competitive match since December. Despite the lack of game time, Zenit will still be a very dangerous side to play against, and the Bhoys would be doing well to take a narrow lead over to Russia for the second leg next Thursday. The Russians will be a tough side to play against at Celtic Park, as they have a host of internationals in their squad. Here,
Football Insider
looks at three Zenit players that Rodgers must be most wary of on Thursday.
Click 'reveal' below to read about a free-scoring striker...
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ALEKSANDR KOKORIN
The freescoring 26-year-old that can play up-front or on the wing and will be man that the Hoops will need to stop if they are to get a good result in the first leg. Has scored eight goals in eight games so far in Europe this season, and has 18 for the season overall, so could easily blow Celtic away on Thursday night. He has plenty of pace and power in his play, so the Hoops defence on the night - likely to be Kristoffer Ajer and Jack Hendry - will need to stop him at all costs.
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LEANDRO PAREDES
Summer signing surprised a lot of people when he moved from Roma to Zenit in the summer. He has already been called up for the Argentinian national side, such has been his good performances for Zenit. Extremely tough midfield playmaker who will be looking to control the game from midfield, Scott Brown and Olivier Ntcham will need to be at their very best to stop the 23-year-old from controlling the match from the middle of the park. A player that the Hoops need to stop.
Click 'next page' below to read about a defender with plenty of British experience
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BRANISLAV IVANOVIC
Serbian defender who won a host of trophies whilst at Chelsea, a hard defender who - if fit - will be expected to keep an eye on Hoops defender Moussa Dembele. Has scored plenty of important goals in his time in England and Russia, so the Bhoys will need to be careful not to give him any opportunities at set-pieces. A player who has seen and done it all, the no doubt feverish atmosphere at Celtic Park won't bother him one bit. In other Celtic news,