Brendan Rodgers has insisted that Celtic will not be intimidated by the racist reputation of the Zenit St Petersburg support.

The Parkhead side face the Russians in the last 32 of the Europa League with the first tie on 15th February in Glasgow before the return leg a week later in St Peterburg.

The Russian side face a partial stadium closure as punishment for a racist banner that was unveiled in a Europa League clash earlier this season.

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But Rodgers has warned that Celtic will not be fazed by the infamous section of Zenit’s support.

“This was something I was made very aware of before the last game we played out there [as Liverpool manager] because of the reputation they had within the stadium,” said the Celtic manager. “I was aware of that side of it. But I have to say, in our game and our travel there, we didn’t have anything. It was a real intense game. Liverpool had a lot of supporters there, Zenit as well, but we had no issues with it whatsoever. There was huge policing there, but we had no issues with it.

“There is no place for it. Whether it's football or society, there is no call for it. In terms of speaking to our players about it, we'll think about that nearer the time."

Meanwhile, Rodgers has insisted that Celtic can find a way to compete in European football without having vast financial resources.

The Champions League was a difficult experience for the Parkhead side who lost 18 goals in an admittedly formidable group this term but the challenge will for the Hoops boss will always be to raise the bar without spending big.

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“We're in the competition, so we're going to play against the likes of these teams and it's up to us to try and somehow find a way to bridge the gap," said Rodgers.

"Celtic will never be a club that's going to go out and spend hundreds of millions of pounds in getting in these, some of the world-class players.

"That's not where we're at.

"But we have got some very good players and we've got a great structure at the club that allows the club to be stable and financially sufficient and allows us to go on and achieve what we aim to achieve domestically, and of course to then go on and be able to qualify for European football.

"That will bring us, of course, in against some of the giants of the game.

"But we have to embrace that.”

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Roberto Mancini’s side will be another challenge when the teams meet in February as Celtic look to embark upon a run in the Europa League.

"We take on a team that's got some really good players and an excellent manager,” he said.

"It's an exciting draw. You look at some of the teams that you could play.

"There is never an easy game. Teams get through for a reason, so they're at that stage because they're a good side.

"There are some other clubs of course with a great history in the game.

"Zenit will be a tough game for us, but it's a game that we will look forward to when it comes around."