As reported by The Daily Mail, Brendan Rodgers has warned Celtic fans that in the current football climate they can’t expect the club to relive glory days of the past.
What’s the story?
The Hoops face tough UEFA Europa League opposition this evening at Celtic Park, hosting Russian Premier League side FC Zenit in the Round of 32.
Despite the long trip for the Russians and the fact they haven’t played a competitive match for months due to their winter break, Roberto Mancini’s side are seen as favourites.
It’s a far cry from the days when the Hoops could string together extended runs in the competition, most famously all the way to the final back in 2003.
However, Rodgers has warned the current situation facing the Bhoys is different and is taking a realistic view of tonight’s match.
As quoted by The Daily Mail, the Celtic boss said:
The financial climate is totally different now to what it was back then for Celtic. There will be always be expectation here. We always want to fight and, like our predecessors, try to do the very best that we can. But when you compare it to that, football and Celtic have changed a lot.
I always think that we are Celtic…. but I have always been realistic. I think that I have always been a realist and when you look at their (Zenit’s) investment and the level of players they have they will expect to go through. We have to find a way and we will see if we can get a result.
Can Celtic tap into an underdog spirit and shock the Russians ahead of the return leg in St Petersburg next week?
Great expectations
Whenever a European night arrives at Celtic Park, there is always expectation from the home support that they are about to witness something special.
The Hoops have seen more illustrious outfits than FC Zenit come and go without a result in the East end of Glasgow, even when Celtic aren’t spending big money on transfers.
Brendan Rodgers’ side must show they can raise their game to match the threat of their visitors and the manager himself must show he has the tactical nous to change the way Celtic play to fit the occasion.
Last time out against Anderlect, the Bhoys were far too passive and were punished with a 1-0 scoreline as a result.
A repeat of that performance will end in disaster tonight and they really need to bring a win to Russia if they’re to have any hope of making it to the last 16.