Celtic have not been in Europe beyond Christmas for over 20 years and the Bulgaria international believes that grabbing the first goal of the night could change all that.

Petrov said: ‘‘It will be good for all the players to play against Valencia and it’s a really big game for us.

‘‘We need a very big performance to go through and I think if we can score first it would make it a different game and I think if we got that goal we could go on and do well.’’

Petrov is confident his team-mates can produce the goals and believes that if the Celtic defence can concentrate from corner kicks then they can wrap up an early Christmas present.

He added: ‘‘Of course we have shown how well we can play at home and if we can score in this game we can pull this around.

‘‘But we need to be more concentrated from corner kicks because they create their most chances from corner kicks.’’

The 22-year-old admits that Valencia will be hit with the absence of injured winger Kily Gonzalez - but insists they have the players to cope with such a loss.

Petrov said: ‘‘They are really going to miss him, but all the Valencia players have so much quality and I’m sure whoever comes in will be determined to take his chance for the team.’’

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill admits that the atmosphere against Juventus at Parkhead in the Champions League last month was the finest he had savoured for quite some time.

And the Northern Irishman is urging the fans to raise the roof again to will their heroes on against the Spanish side tonight.

‘‘That evening against Juventus was a wonderful atmosphere and occasion,’’ said O’Neill.

‘‘That atmosphere was something I have not experienced for a long, long time and I want it to be the same again from start to finish tonight.

‘‘I have to remind the fans that the kick-off is at 7.30pm and not 7.45pm and they get there in plenty of time.

‘‘I know the crowd will be up for the game whatever the weather so I don’t have any fears for the crowd.’’

The question is whether his players have what it takes.