Celtic face an unfamiliar foe tonight in Zenit St Petersburg.
The Europa League last 32 clash is the first competitive meeting between the two sides, but far from the Hoops’ first sight of Russian opposition.
The Scottish champions boast an impressive record in their meetings with Russians during the Champions League era, recording three wins, two draws and one defeat in clashes with Spartak and Dinamo Moscow.
Read more: Five to watch: The Zenit danger men who stand between Celtic and Europa League progress
Here, we look back at the story so far when the Bhoys have encountered Russian opposition in Europe.
15 August 2007
Spartak Moscow 1-1 Celtic
Champions League third qualifying round
Celtic went in front after 21 minutes in Moscow thanks to a powerful header from midfielder Paul Hartley but just 20 minutes later Spartak striker Roman Pavlyuchenko had the hosts level.
The Russians were on top for most of the second half but couldn’t find a winner, leaving the Scots in a strong position for the second leg.
29 August 2007
Celtic 1-1 Spartak Moscow (4-3 pens)
Champions League third qualifying round
Artur Boruc was the hero for Celtic as the Polish goalkeeper saved two penalties to send Gordon Strachan’s side through to the next round via a shoot-out.
Pavlyuchenko had the chance to put Spartak in front from the spot but missed, before Scott McDonald put the hosts 1-0 up. The Russian striker then atoned for his earlier error by equalising before Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink missed his spot-kick in extra time with the visitors down to 10 men.
In the shoot-out, Shunsuke Nakamura hit the bar but Gary Caldwell, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Derek Riordan and Maciej Zurawski found the net to conclude a thrilling contest.
29 July 2009
Celtic 0-1 Dinamo Moscow
Champions League third qualifying round
Tony Mowbray made his competitive debut as Celtic manager as his side crashed to defeat at home to Dinamo in the Champions League third qualifying round.
A goal from striker Aleksander Kokorin, who looks set to line up against the Hoops for Zenit tonight, gave the Russians an away goal advantage to take back home for the second leg after Marc-Antoine Fortune and Scott McDonald had blown good opportunities in the first half.
5 August 2009
Dinamo Moscow 0-2 Celtic
Champions League third qualifying round
A stoppage time strike from Georgios Samaras sent Celtic into the final round of Champions League qualifiers and completed a dramatic comeback after the first leg defeat in Glasgow.
Mowbray’s team arrived in the Russian capital knowing that they would need to record their first away win in Europe since 2003 in order to progress and went into the break in high spirits after McDonald headed in the opener.
And on the 91st minute, Greek striker Samaras sent the Hoops through with a well-taken low finish after cutting in from the left.
2 October 2012
Spartak Moscow 2-3 Celtic
Champions League group stage
Samaras was again the late hero for Celtic as his injury-time winner secured the club’s first ever away win in the group stages of the Champions League.
Goals were not in short supply in the Russian capital, with Gary Hooper putting the visitors in front after 12 minutes before Emmanuel Emenike equalised before half time.
Emenike struck again just after the break, but the tide turned in Celtic’s favour when Juan Insaurralde was sent off for a foul on Hooper. Dimitri Kombarov put the ball in his own net to level the scores and then on the 90th minute Samaras rose to head in the winner.
5 December 2012
Celtic 2-1 Spartak Moscow
Champions League group stage
Celtic made it two wins from two over Spartak at Parkhead and booked a place in the knockout stages of the Champions League for the third time in the process.
Gary Hooper fired the Bhoys in front following a defensive mistake, but the visitors were soon level thanks to Ari’s angled finish.
But another dramatic finish saw the Scots come out on top, as Samaras won a penalty that was converted by Kris Commons to set up a last 16 clash with Juventus.
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