Moussa Dembele admits Celtic will have to show the same “unity” they did during the first leg of their Europa League tie with Zenit St Petersburg if they are to progress through to the last 16.
The Bhoys secured a 1-0 victory at Parkhead last week thanks to Callum McGregor’s second-half goal and will now be aiming to seal another positive result in Russia on Thursday.
France Under-21 international Dembele led the line for the Hoops in the first leg and has warned his team-mates they will have to repeat last week’s heroics if they are to continue their European journey.
Dembele told the Daily Record: “It is a big game for us. We have got a really good result but we all know that it is only half-time.
“We have to be as clever as we were in the first leg. We worked together as a team and showed a lot of unity and that is what we have to do again.”
The 21-year-old also expects an improved showing from Zenit, who were playing their first competitive match for over two months. “They are a very good side.
I don’t know if they were tired or not fit because they hadn’t played a competitive game. That is nothing to do with us,” he added.
“I don’t know if they will play differently in Russia. But I do know that we will have the same spirit in Russia that we did at Celtic Park.”
Celtic are priced at 5.25 to secure a victory from Thursday’s second leg while Zenit are available at 1.60 and the draw is on offer at 3.80.
Leave a comment
Link Dafabet