Stoilov is plotting his Euro payback
Rodgers insists playing Israeli at centre-half is no gamble
ASTANA manager Stanimir Stoilov has vowed to avenge last year’s Champions League agony by knocking Celtic out this time.
The Kazakhs were left devastated when Brendan Rodgers’ team edged them in qualifying a year ago.
With a 14-game unbeaten home record in Europe, Stoilov believes Astana can deliver payback by staying in tonight’s tie – and stunning Celtic in Tuesday’s return.
He said: “I think that we will be participating in the draw for the Champions League next Thursday. This is the best result for me.
“It doesn’t matter how the first game ends. We are still going to be in the Champions League.
“The Champions League is in front of us and this is enough for the players to produce a good game.
“We know Rodgers has had some time to grow and develop his team but we still feel we can succeed.”
Stoilov – whose side have the advantage of being two-thirds through their domestic campaign – is not buying Rodgers’ claim that Celtic are not yet fully up to speed.
And the Astana coach is also adamant his team won’t lose their heads at Parkhead as they did when they had two players sent off 12 months ago.
He said: “In my opinion Celtic are 100 per cent fit.
“They have played six games and two friendlies. That’s enough for a player to get into good shape.
“There’s a little benefit for us that our championship has already started but our team is under pressure.
“Our emotions let us down the last time. We must keep our motivation for both games and try to score.”