Anthony Ralston in Celtic pre season admission as full back revels in 'brilliant' Champions League game changer

Anthony Ralston insists Celtic 's pre season preparations have benefited "brilliantly" from his side's automatic qualification for the Champions League group stages.

In previous years, the summer has seen the Hoops face crucial early European qualifiers while squad building is still in process. But this year Ange Postecoglou 's side have some extra time to get up to speed before they begin their competitive clashes. Lifting the Premiership trophy - coupled with Scotland's improve co-efficient - means the Parkhead outfit go straight into the group stage of the prestigious competition this season. And it means that they have until September to prepare.

The Celtic boss has therefore been able to plan out a pre season schedule that includes six friendly matches - with three played so far during the side's trip to Europe. The additional three clashes kick off on Saturday as Blackburn Rovers visit Parkhead. And ahead of the game, Celtic and Scotland full-back Ralston highlighted the "brilliant" preparations the extra time has provided.

Speaking to Celtic TV, he said: "It is a good change to be able to get more training sessions under our belt, to come together as a team, get the friendlies in and focus on the start of the league campaign. Rather than playing the qualifiers, automatically qualifying is brilliant.

"We have all had a good bit of training under our belts, a few games now, a few games more to go and we are all in a good place, we are all fit. We have a bit to go but we want to keep improving and not just now, the start of the season as well. We are all looking forward to it.

"It is where you want to play your football, at the highest level, which is the Champions League. We will all have a part to play in