Celtic hope to avoid Euro hangover

AFP, GLASGOW: Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong hopes his side don't suffer a European hangover as they return to domestic duty following their midweek Champions League exertions against Qarabag.
The Hoops booked their place in the play-off round of Europe's elite club competition on Wednesday as they held the Azerbaijani champions to a goalless draw in Baku to secure a 1-0 aggregate win. The match was played in sweltering conditions and Armstrong admitted that the encounter had taken its toll on the Celtic players, who now face Partick Thistle at Firhill on league duty this Sunday. "It was a tough game," the Celtic midfielder said.
"We knew they had to come out and do something to get back into the tie. We were happy to keep our team shape and go on the counter. We knew if we scored it was a huge advantage. "It was on the toughest games I have played in, in terms of getting something out of the game, organisation and keeping to a plan, I felt we did that very well.
"It was a tiring game. It was nice to have the water breaks. The second half was challenging and the surface wasn't great either. "It was fine lines. You had to concentrate at all times as you couldn't rely on the surface and afford to look away before the ball arrived. That was just another factor we had to concentrate on. It was very tough on the body. It was a very hard match overall, physically and mentally.
"You could see the emotion on our faces when the final whistle sounded, we were all delighted to get through.
"I have played in hotter conditions but when it's such an important game and you have a lot riding on it and the temperature and the humidity is so high, then it's a real test."
Charlie Mulgrew may return for Ronny Deila's side for the trip to face Thistle after missing out on the midweek match through injury.  Elsewhere on Saturday, league leaders Dundee welcome Hearts to Dens Park.
Paul Hartley's side got their season off to a flying start with a 4-0 demolition of Kilmarnock last weekend, but should face stiffer competition from the Jambos, who defeated St Johnstone in a 4-3 opening day thriller.
Inverness will hope to make up for their first day loss to Motherwell when they make the trip to McDiarmid Park to face St Johnstone, while Motherwell host Dundee United at Fir Park. Kilmarnock will make the long trip north to take on Aberdeen on Sunday.

Celtic hope to avoid Euro hangover

AFP, GLASGOW: Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong hopes his side dont suffer a European hangover as they return to domestic duty following their midweek Champions League exertions against Qarabag. The Hoops booked their place in the play-off round of Europes elite club competition on Wednesday as they held the Azerbaijani champions to a goalless draw in Baku to secure a 1-0 aggregate win. The match was played in sweltering conditions and Armstrong admitted that the encounter had taken its toll on the Celtic players, who now face Partick Thistle at Firhill on league duty this Sunday. It was a tough game, the Celtic midfielder said. We knew they had to come out and do something to get back into the tie. We were happy to keep our team shape and go on the counter. We knew if we scored it was a huge advantage. It was on the toughest games I have played in, in terms of getting something out of the game, organisation and keeping to a plan, I felt we did that very well. It was a tiring game. It was nice to have the water breaks. The second half was challenging and the surface wasnt great either. It was fine lines. You had to concentrate at all times as you couldnt rely on the surface and afford to look away before the ball arrived. That was just another factor we had to concentrate on. It was very tough on the body. It was a very hard match overall, physically and mentally. You could see the emotion on our faces when the final whistle sounded, we were all delighted to get through. I have played in hotter conditions but when its such an important game and you have a lot riding on it and the temperature and the humidity is so high, then its a real test. Charlie Mulgrew may return for Ronny Deilas side for the trip to face Thistle after missing out on the midweek match through injury. Elsewhere on Saturday, league leaders Dundee welcome Hearts to Dens Park. Paul Hartleys side got their season off to a flying start with a 4-0 demolition of Kilmarnock last weekend, but should face stiffer competition from the Jambos, who defeated St Johnstone in a 4-3 opening day thriller. Inverness will hope to make up for their first day loss to Motherwell when they make the trip to McDiarmid Park to face St Johnstone, while Motherwell host Dundee United at Fir Park. Kilmarnock will make the long trip north to take on Aberdeen on Sunday.