CELTIC’S European adventure continues tonight when Roberto Mancini’s star-studded Zenit squad take to the Parkhead pitch in the Europa League last 32.
The Russians have not played a competitive game since 11 December due to their lengthy winter break, but the visitors possess the firepower to ask serious questions of Brendan Rodgers’ injury-ravaged squad.
We have highlighted some of the key men for the Bhoys to keep an eye on in Glasgow this evening.
Branislav Ivanovic
Apps: 27 Goals: 3
A player who will be familiar to most of the Celtic faithful from his nine-year spell at Chelsea, Ivanovic’s involvement for tonight’s game remains in doubt with only hours remaining until kick-off.
The Serbian has been struggling with an eye problem and was expected to miss out, but he trained at Celtic Park last night and manager Mancini suggested on Wednesday that he could still be called on.
“He is getting better, although he is not 100% yet," said the Italian.
"With his experience he is important to us. Maybe he can play or go on the bench. We will decide tomorrow."
Should he play, the 33-year-old’s experience will be a huge asset to his side. Ivanovic, who joined Zenit from Chelsea last February, won both the Champions League and Europa League while at Stamford Bridge.
On top of offering leadership and defensive solidity, Ivanovic made a habit of scoring his fair share of important goals in England and will be one for the Hoops defenders to keep a close eye on when defending set pieces.
Domenico Criscito
Apps: 28 Goals: 4
The club captain is another experienced campaigner, having been in St Petersburg for six-and-a-half years.
The 31-year-old left-back is enjoying another fine season in Russia, playing more minutes than anyone else in the squad this term under the tutelage of his compatriot Mancini.
Operating on the left side of a back four in a 4-3-3 system, Criscito provides an attacking threat down his flank and has already found the net four times this season as well as providing four assists.
The former Genoa and Juventus man’s defensive acumen has also helped Zenit boast the meanest back line in Russia this season, with the club leaking just 13 goals in 20 games so far.
Leandro Paredes
Apps: 27 Goals: 5
Since arriving from Roma last summer in a £20 million move, Paredes has picked up where he left off in Italy by putting in a series of assured displays in the centre of the park.
The 23-year-old Argentinian will need to be shackled by Celtic if they are to keep the visitors quiet, as he will look to dictate the tempo of the game and spray passes around the park, as well as breaking up play.
Read more: Zenit St Petersburg manager Roberto Mancini insists his expensive team will be pushed hard by Celtic
Paredes’ threat isn’t limited to the centre of the pitch though, as he offers a great danger further forward thanks to a right foot capable of unleashing powerful strikes from distance and looping free-kicks, on top of threaded through balls that will look to catch out any switched-off defenders.
There has been some talk in the build-up as to whether former Atletico Madrid man Matias Kranevitter could come into the team in Paredes’ place, or if the two could play together, but the Argentina international will certainly be a marked man should he start.
With five goals and six assists to his name already this season, including a sublime individual effort in their final Europa League group stage game against Real Sociedad, Paredes’ threat will not have escaped the attention of Rodgers in his preparation for this clash.
Aleksandr Kokorin
Apps: 29 Goals: 18
If the defensive injury crisis is giving Celtic fans sleepless nights, Kokorin should be the main cause of concern.
The Zenit number nine has started the season in prolific form, scoring 18 goals in 29 games in the opening half of the campaign including five strikes in the group stages of the Europa League.
One shred of comfort for the hosts can be found in the fact that Kokorin’s goals began to dry up towards December, with the 26-year-old finding the net just twice in his last eight league games, but a lengthy winter break may well have re-invigorated the 48-time Russia internationalist.
Roberto Mancini
Record at Zenit: P31 W17 D8 L6
Zenit’s key man could well be off the pitch rather than on it.
Italian tactician Mancini has become one of the hot favourites to become the next Italy boss and the speculation is no surprise given the 53-year-old’s CV.
After winning domestic cups at Fiorentina and Lazio in his early years, the former striker went on to secure three league titles with Inter in his home country as well as leading Manchester City to their first Premier League crown.
He could not repeat the feat at Galatasaray or during his second spell at Inter, but Mancini is aiming to win the league championship in a third country this season at Zenit.
He has organised a watertight defence since taking charge last summer, but his new side remain eight points behind leaders Lokomotiv Moscow in second place at the winter break.
Progress in Europe came more smoothly, as Mancini’s side recorded five wins and a draw to top Group L, and there is no doubting that a first European honour will be on the manager’s mind as he targets a last 16 place.
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