CELTIC great Lubomir Moravcik reckons an uncharacteristically stress-free pre-season will set the Hoops up for a proper tilt at the Champions League and the defence of their Premiership title.

Ange Postecoglou’s men will go straight into the group stages of Europe’s premier competition after winning the Scottish top-flight in the Greek-Australian’s first season in charge.

Moravcik played in the Champions League during his last campaign with the club in 2001-02, where he played a key role in a famous 4-3 win over Juventus in the group stages.

That season the Hoops had to go through qualifying to seal their spot in the competition proper – beating Ajax to do so – but the Slovakian former midfielder reckons the current crop will benefit from no such ‘nervy period’ at the start of next season.

Moravcik said that he was glad that Ange Postecoglou's men won the title this season in order to gain automatic entry into the lucrative group stages and reckons avoiding the lottery of the qualifiers can help their chances of success at home and abroad.

“I am delighted that this Celtic side will get to play in the Champions League group stages proper again after getting the automatic entry for winning the title this season,” added Moravcik, who made 130 appearances and scored 35 goals for the Hoops.

"It can be such a nervy period trying to negotiate all of the qualifiers. Having the luxury of going straight into the group stages next season will make a big difference to the manager and the players.

Celtic Way:

"Celtic will not have that stress – they can just focus on getting off to a good and winning start to the league campaign this time around."

The 56-year-old – who played internationally for Czechoslovakia (42 caps, seven goals) and Slovakia (38 caps, six goals) and was a member of the Czechoslovakian team at the 1990 World Cup – is looking forward to returning to Glasgow this weekend.

He will be joining former Hoops manager Martin O'Neill and ex-Celtic team-mates Chris Sutton, Paul Lambert and Jackie McNamara at the SEC Armadillo in Glasgow on Sunday May 29 as part of An Unforgettable Experience 2.

Although he admits that he'll still be keeping a close eye on notorious wind-up merchant Chris Sutton.

“I am looking forward to coming back to Glasgow and seeing the likes of Martin, Chris Sutton, Paul Lambert and Jackie McNamara,” Moravcik said. “Sutty is always full of banter and wind-ups.

"I wonder what he has got up his sleeve for Sunday night but if he tries anything the gaffer will put him right in his place. He is scared of the gaffer. Lambo, Jackie and I will always back the gaffer against Sutty.

“But I can't wait to see all the Celtic fans again and to celebrate the recent title success in Glasgow with them. It is going to be a great night."

  • Lubomir Moravcik will join Martin O'Neill, Chris Sutton, Paul Lambert, Jackie McNamara & Simon Donnelly at the SEC Armadillo in Glasgow on May 29 as part of An Unforgettable Experience 2. Tickets are available here.