Friday 22 July 2016 15:26, UK
Midfielder Callum McGregor says Celtic need to get their preparation spot-on if they are to overcome Astana and remain on track to qualify for the Champions League.
The Bhoys beat Lincoln Red Imps on Wednesday to reach the third qualifying round and now face their third trip to central Asia in four seasons next week.
And Astana could prove tricky opponents, having become the first team from Kazakhstan to reach the Champions League group stages last season, when they were unbeaten at home throughout the campaign.
Celtic will fly out on Monday ahead of the first leg on Wednesday and McGregor says they will need to use their preparation time wisely if they are to advance.
"Teams in that sort of area are getting better and obviously they proved that last year, by getting to the Champions League," he said.
"By all accounts they did well and we know they are going to be a tough opponent.
"Obviously it's far to travel and it's a plastic pitch, so we just need to make sure we are ready for that test. We are travelling a couple of days early, so we can get there and get a feel for the place.
"You need to try to be ready for everything that comes your way, on the preparation side and the training pitch. Everything needs to be spot-on.
"There is not much room for error in these qualifiers so we need to do everything we can to be ready for them."
Celtic will warm-up for the trip with an International Champions Cup game at home to Leicester on Saturday and McGregor is looking forward to the fixture.
"You want to keep testing yourself as a player and the more quality opposition that we play against, then the better it will be for us at the stage we are at," he said.
"You want to improve as a player all the time, so to play against the best players is the way to do that."
