Champions League

John Collins: 'Celtic pre-season schedule made for Champions League'

By Jonathan McIntosh, Reporter | 21 June 2015

Celtic assistant manager John Collins says that the club's pre-season schedule maximises their chances of qualifying for the Champions League group stages.

Celtic assistant manager John Collins has said that the Scottish champions' pre-season schedule is geared towards qualification for the group stages of the Champions League.

The Bhoys will enter the competition in the second qualifying round, with matches to be played on weeks commencing July 13 and July 20.

"Everybody associated with the club - players, coaches, supporters - wants to be in the Champions League, but so does every other team in Europe that's in the qualifiers," Collins told reporters.

"There are a lot of good teams trying to get into it. We're one of many and we'll be doing our best to try and get in with the big boys. That's our target at this moment in time.

"Last year we did a lot of travelling. We'd have Champions League games on the Wednesday then we'd have friendly matches on the Saturday, then Champions League on the Tuesday and overseas on the Saturday, so it's important we get plenty of rest between the Champions League games."

Celtic lost in the playoff round to Slovenian team NK Maribor last season, before advancing to the round of 32 in the Europa League.