Collins: Celtic ready for competitive action

adamhigginsuk
Jul 15, 2014
2 min read

Change of role: Collins has swapped the Sky Sports studio as an analyst for the dugout as Ronny Deila's assistant (Picture from Zimbio.com)

CELTIC assistant manager John Collins believes the team are prepared for returning to competitive action and admitted he is excited by the prospect.

The Hoops face Icelandic outfit KR Reykjavik in the first leg of their Champions League second qualifying round tie on Tuesday as manager Ronny Deila takes charge of his first match since replacing Neil Lennon.

With Celtic unbeaten in the four games of their pre-season tour of Austria, Collins is happy with the squad's fitness levels and says they are ready for business at the KR-Vollur Stadium.

"Of course it is a big test but we are looking forward to it,” Collins told reporters as the Scottish champions prepared to fly out on Monday.

"That's three weeks that we have been back now, this is the big one. All the preparations have gone towards getting a good performance and good result.

"We have had four matches and the squad is getting fitter every day. We want to go there and try to score goals.

"We have watched them twice, we have had videos cut up so we know their strengths and weaknesses but at the end of the day it is about how we play.

"This is where Celtic want to be, we want to be on the big stage. We know we have to take care of this team, it won't be easy, it never is at the start of the season but we are looking forward to it."

Collins confirmed that winger James Forrest did not travel because of a thigh problem, joining captain Scott Brown on the sidelines after he ruptured his hamstring last week and is expected to be out for three months.

But the former Hibernian midfielder is adamant the team has enough talent and ability to cope with their absence.

"It is obviously disappointing, two big players, certainly Scott our captain and leader, but we have to get on with it now," he added.

"We have lots of other good players in the squad who have to step up and show that they can do a job for the team as well and I have no doubt they will."