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 terms of on the training pitch and also when it comes to the games. So we need everyone ready and fit and I am sure we will be."
Despite lifting two pieces of silverware during Ange Postecoglou's first season as boss, Ralston insists that there is more to come. The defender says he is "definitely' aiming for improvement and believes the Parkhead faithful should be excited for what lies ahead next season.
"We've done what we done last season, we hit good heights but it is important that we improve again and as a collective that is what we aim to do." He added.
"We are in a good place, we have had good training and games under our belts but going into the season we want to not only do what we did last season but improve on it. They (fans) definitely should be excited to get going, we all are.
"We had a great season together last season and we are looking for the same again. But that is behind us, what is done is done, we are ready to start a new chapter."
READ NEXT
