‘CELTIC BETTER PREPARED,’ SAYS JOHN KENNEDY

Ronny Deila’s men begin this season’s campaign with a second-qualifying round tie against Stjarnan of Iceland on 14/15th July with the return leg a week later.

Kennedy said: “I think it is a decent tie for us, the one thing is the travel isn’t too long and that always helps. We did it last year going to Iceland in the early stages so it’s one that we are pretty content with.

“Travel certainly has an impact, especially when you go to countries where you have to spend many hours on a plane and you are not too sure of the environment or anything else.”

Celtic failed to reach the group stages last summer – losing out to Maribor after being handed a second chance when Legia Warsaw were thrown out for fielding an ineligible player – but Kennedy feels the Hoops are better equipped this time around.

He said: “It is a much better squad, there were a lot of changes last year in the backroom staff, the team and a change in the style of play.

“There was a lot going on and players were still trying to get used to what we wanted. We were getting to know the players and were certainly not settled in that period, but we knew we had to handle it and give it our best shot.

“We are now in a much better place with a settled squad and we know the players inside out and they know us inside out.

“So, we will attack this with everything we have got, we created a good foundation last year which helps.”