Monday 22 June 2015 17:22, UK
Celtic first-team coach John Kennedy says the club are better prepared for an assault on the Champions League this season and will be giving it their 'best shot'.
The Scottish champions begin this season's campaign with a second-qualifying round tie against Stjarnan of Iceland on July 14/15 with the return leg a week later.
Celtic beat Icelandic side KR Reykjavik 5-0 on aggregate at the same stage last year, and Kennedy feels that experience will stand them in good stead for this year's opener.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, the former Celtic and Scotland defender 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.
'Preparation'
"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. We have had the experience (of travelling to Iceland) before but when it is closer to home it helps with the preparation for the games."
Celtic failed to reach the group stages last summer - losing out to Maribor after being handed a second chance when previous conquerors 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 were 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. We will attack this with everything we have got, we created a good foundation last year which helps."
Kennedy then insisted Celtic had not made a move for Hibernian midfielder Scott Allan amid reports that the former Dundee United player was on their target list.
Allan agreed a two-year deal with Hibernian in July 2014 after arriving from West Brom.
Kennedy initially declined to talk about specific transfer targets but then said: "He's a Hibs player and he has done very well there.
"There is a lot of speculation surrounding him, as there is with all good talents in Scotland.
"When young Scottish players do well, straight away there is speculation that they are going to move on to bigger and better things. But we have not approached anyone or made any moves there."
