The Russians know that only a win will do to give them any chance of qualifying from Group G, the same as Celtic, after having picked up just three points so far.

But to make matters worse, Spartak have other major injury worries.

Former Parkhead favourite Aiden McGeady is out.

He is joined by striker Artem Dzyuba, Brazilian ace Welliton, captain Sergei Parshivlyuk, Russian internationalist Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Brazilian midfielder Romulo and the suspended defender Nicolas Pareja.

However, even that lot is nothing compared to Spartak's problems in goal.

Manager Unai Emery watched in horror as third-choice keeper Artem Rebrov injured a shoulder in the 1-1 draw against Nizhny Novgorod at the weekend.

He joined top keeper Andriy Dykan – who has also been sidelined since September with a shoulder injury – and Sergei Pesyakov – who has a broken foot – on the treatment table.

A Spartak statement said: "Rebrov has suffered a very similar injury as Dykan and will miss the next few games."

Now the Russians have to desperately hope Dykan can recover ahead of schedule or play an untried youth keeper against the Catalan giants in Moscow.