Brendan Rodgers says he is "really looking forward" to leading Celtic into their Champions League second qualifying round tie against Gibraltan side, Lincoln Red Imps.
Rodgers, who took over for Ronny Delia in May, gets his first taste of European action in charge of the Scottish Premiership champions and spoke of his pride in leading the team out.
"I am really looking forward to it, I can't wait for the game to get under way and get working and see the relationship between the game and the training we have been doing," he said.
"We have a long way to go before we are ideally where I want us to be at, certainly all the signs so far makes me think I am really looking forward to this season.
"It is going to be an exciting year for sure and it is nice to get off to this start and hopefully we get a good performance and result."
Celtic visit Ireland as part of their Champions Cup pre-season tournament at the end of July and mid-August where they will face Barcelona and Inter Milan, but Rodgers is staying focused on the game at hand.
"Every game is a big game. There is no game that is any bigger or smaller.
"Of course you have different level of opponent but for myself and the staff that doesn't change in terms of our preparation and at Celtic there is a huge expectation on us to do well. So for us it doesn't change."
The Lincoln Red Imps have enjoyed success in their domestic league and Rodgers said that his side will focus on their own game and not on the opposition.
"We have watched Lincoln, they are very workmanlike, they have won over the course of two games to play against us, so we will give them that respect.
"But the focus is on ourselves, it is a job that we have to do over the course of two legs.
"With the pitch and the heat will make it a bit trickier but we will be ready for the whistle to go and hopefully put in a good performance."
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