Celtic travel to Russia for the second leg against Zenit on Thursday night.
Celtic legend Pat Bonner has suggested BBC Sport that a win in Russia against Zenit St. Petersburg will help Brendan Rodgers in the future when he looks for further employment.
The Hoops travel to Russia to face Roberto Mancini’s side in the second leg of their Round of 32 Europa League tie on Thursday night, as they look to book their place in the last 16.
Celtic will be in buoyant mood going into the match as they hold a 1-0 advantage from the first leg thanks to Callum McGregor’s excellent finish from 10 yards out, which saw new signing Charly Musonda supply an excellent assist.
Bonner, who won four Scottish Premiership titles with Celtic, believes that beating Zenit will make Rodgers a “top-class European coach” and could help the former Liverpool boss when it comes to looking for a new club in the future.
“Anything can happen,” Bonner said. “I think it will be a dream for Brendan, I think [beating Zenit] would set him up as a top-class European coach. He’ll have his eyes set on other things in the future.
“He would be delighted to get Celtic through this stage, but also because it creates value for the players. It’ll be a big, big thing for the club to get past Zenit.”
Rodgers will be without a whole host of first-team stars as he takes his side to the Krestovsky Stadium, with Craig Gordon, Marvin Compper, Dedryck Boyata, Stuart Armstrong, Paddy Roberts, Jonny Hayes and Leigh Griffiths all sidelined.
But the Celtic boss is expected to welcome back Olivier Ntcham and Mikael Lustig after they missed Sunday’s 0-0 draw against St. Johnstone, while Tom Rogic played an hour of the weekend’s draw and he is also available.
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