MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 19:47:22| >> :120:56781:56781:

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

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.

ID:229448: cacheID:229448:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1995:
Written by
Jonathan McIntosh
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Virgil Van Dijk of Celtic Glasgow reacts during the Pre Season Friendly between SK Rapid Wien and Celtic Glasgow at Gerhard-Hanappi-Stadium on July 6, 2014
Read Next:
Collins: 'Van Dijk to stay for CL'
>
Read more about John Collins Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1514104444043
2Aberdeen16104230181234
3RangersRangers1510232791832
4Motherwell168172226-425
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd166642519624
6St Mirren176382228-621
7Dundee165472729-219
8Hibernian173682129-815
9Ross County173681333-2015
10St Johnstone1742112032-1214
11Kilmarnock163581734-1714
12Hearts163491825-713


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!