EBOUE KOUASSI has no fears of the unknown as Celtic fly out today for tomorrow’s crucial Europa League last-32 confrontation with Zenit in St Petersburg.
The combative midfielder played his role last week as a Callum McGregor strike gave the Hoops a one-goal advantage over Roberto Mancini’s side.
Looking forward to the return clash in Russia, the 20-year-old Ivorian said: “I don’t think Zenit will be much better than they were in Glasgow. I believe we will see the same team.
“Am I confident of winning? Yes, I am hopeful. We will fight, we will play our best to get through.
“The key for us to progress is to fight, as we did in the first leg. We need to keep pressing and pushing. We must attack as we did last week.
“We have to play our normal game. We won’t go there to defend, we will play like we did on Thursday.
“Of course, we must try to score a goal.”
Kouassi joined Krasnodar from Armenian side Shirak in 2014, remaining in Russia until Brendan Rodgers paid £2.8million for him just over a year ago.
He added: “It’s a good stadium with one of the best atmospheres in the country.
“Zenit are always dangerous at home, they don’t lose a lot of games there, but we know what to do, we know how we have to play.
“However, I would not say it is difficult for us to go there. If we play as we can do, then we will qualify for the next round.
“Last week was a great win for us, a great night for Celtic. It was important we got the win at home.”