FORMER Celtic boss Neil Lennon reckons his old club can go all the way to the Europa League Final – if they overcome Zenit St Petersburg on Thursday night.
The champions take a crucial one-goal advantage to Russia after Callum McGregor’s memorable strike at Parkhead last week.
Hibs gaffer Lennon, who was a member of the Martin O’Neill team that reached the UEFA Cup Final in Seville in 2003, is convinced the Hoops can reach the last-16 then progress even further.
He said: “Why not? There are some very good teams still in there such as Napoli, Atletico Madrid, Leipzig, Villarreall and others.
“But the more you progress you get a sniff of it, the juices and instinct kick in, but to get past Zenit first, that’s a big ask.”
Lennon added: “I think Russian teams at times can be a bit soulless.
“I didn’t expect Zenit to travel well and at home. I expect them to be a different proposition, but there’s no reason why Celtic can’t go there and score.
“On Thursday, Zenit had one opportunity. Dorus de Vries made the save, but after that they lacked an intensity to the game.
“Look at the goal. Their centre-half was half-hearted when Dembele has gone inside him. I expect them to be a different animal, but Celtic have given themselves an opportunity which is fantastic.
“The result on Thursday was tremendous from their point of view with the injuries and the quality of opposition they were playing and the level of performance,
“They are going to need all that again on Thursday, but Brendan Rodgers will know that.”
