Gary Mackay-Steven confident Celtic ready for Euro test
Tuesday 23 June 2015 16:50, UK
Celtic midfielder Gary Mackay-Steven admits it will be 'no easy task' negotiating the opening round of Champions League qualifiers this season.
The Hoops have been paired with Iceland champions Stjarnan in the second qualifier, with the first leg at Parkhead on July 14 or 15 and the return seven days later.
Former Dundee United star Mackay-Steven has returned to training with the bulk of the squad who retained the Premiership title last season and he believes the work put in now will bolster their chances of making the lucrative group stages of Europe's premier competition.
Celtic failed to reach the latter stages last season, eventually losing out to Maribor after being thrown a lifeline when original conquerors Legia Warsaw were thrown out for fielding an ineligible player.
However, they did account for Starnan's Icelandic rivals KR Reykjavic 5-0 on aggregate at the same stage last summer and Mackay-Steven is hopeful that victory will stand them in good stead this time around.
Speaking at the launch of the club's new away kit at their Lennoxtown training complex, Mackay-Steven told Sky Sports News HQ: "An early start to the season is not easy but this is a task that all the boys are relishing and we can't wait to get going.
'Success'
"We have a lot of quality here and if we can keep everyone fit we will have a lot to show this season. Last season was a success in the end, it's never easy winning the double, the boys did amazing and hopefully this season we can go one better and do well in Europe too.
"The break was short but nice and there was time enough to recharge and I'm looking forward to the season ahead. There are massive games not too far away and we have to make sure we get our work done and prepare well in the next few weeks. We want to be in Europe this year and this will be the first step.
"It's going to be no easy task, the team we are playing are in the middle of their season and will be fit and raring to go so we need to hit the ground running."
And Mackay-Steven believes playing against Icelandic opposition could be a bonus for the players who faced Reykjavik in last season's tournament.
He added: "They are a slightly different team so there might be a difference in how they play, but I sure it will bode well for the boys that played.
"We know a little bit about this team because they played Motherwell last year and beat them. It will be no easy task but we will do our homework and be ready."
