Celts Wrap Up For Baltic Trip

THE draw for the last 32 of the UEFA Europa League took place earlier this week, and Brendan Rodgers’ side will face Russian side, Zenit Saint Petersburg, who qualified from the group stages of the Europa League into the knockout phase.

- Paul Cuddihy

The first leg at Celtic Park will take place on Thursday, February 15, with the return a week later in Russia, with the Russian League still in the middle of its winter shutdown.

However, Zenit, now managed by Roberto Mancini, will be tough opponents for Celtic, who will be looking to prolong their European adventure and progress to the last 16 of the competition.

This week’s Celtic View takes a look at our UEFA Europa League opponents…

STADIUM

Zenit Saint Petersburg play in the Krestovsky Stadium, which was officially opened earlier this year for the FIFA Confederations Cup. It has a capacity of 64,287 for international games, although that is reduced to 56,196 for Russian league matches, and Zenit have played their UEFA Europa League games this season there, losing one tie – a 1-0 qualifying round defeat to Israeli side, Bnei Yehuda, though the Russians had won the first leg 2-0 in Israel. They have won every other Europa League tie there this season. The stadium is also known as Saint Petersburg Stadium or the Zenit Arena, and has a retractable roof. It is located in the western section of Krestovsky Island in Saint Petersburg. At the forthcoming 2018 World Cup tournament, it will stage several games, including Russia’s match against Egypt, as well as one of the semi-finals and the third place play-off.

STAR PLAYERS