Ryan Brown 
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As revealed by the Daily Record, former Rangers player Andrei Kanchelskis has accused the Zenit St Petersburg team of arguing with each other instead of focusing on the football after the Russians were defeated 1-0 in Glasgow.
A Callum McGregor goal finally gave the hosts the lead they deserved after a dominant display as the Hoops take a slender advantage away to the second leg.
Kanchelskis believes that the lack of game time for the Zenit team was not the problem when they faced Celtic but he claims it was the unrest amongst the players and a bad atmosphere in the dressing room.
With a total of five Argentina internationals in Roberto Mancini’s squad, the ex-Ibrox man says it’s the bad mix of Russians and Argentines that is affecting the harmony in the team.
If the players are fighting in the dressing room, then what kind of atmosphere will that produce on the pitch?
There is a bad atmosphere around the team. When you put a load of Argentines in with Russians, this is what happens.
I think there are big problems at Zenit. Everyone knows about the bad atmosphere around the team.
He also suggested that Celtic can only play “simple” football and will find it tough in Russia on Thursday.
Despite a successful night at Parkhead, Brendan Rodgers’ side will know they will face a different Zenit team in St.Petersburg.
Ahead of the game the Russians have been in Rome for a training camp and will look to show their improved fitness and cause Celtic more problems with their attacking talent in the return leg.
Eric Knott 
