CELTIC go into today’s draw for the group stages of the UEFA Europa League, looking forward to facing some top European sides, and with the memory of last season’s memorable campaign still fresh in the minds.

Scott Brown and his team-mates will travel back to Scotland today (Friday), having successfully negotiated a tricky play-off tie against FK Sarajevo in Bosnia, and the Celtic captain knows that, while the big European ties will always catch the eye, it is also the less glamorous qualifying rounds which are equally important.

And he was delighted with the performance of the team on the night, with Odsonne Edouard’s 70th minute goal enough to settle a match that Neil Lennon’s side dominated from first minute until last.

“It was always going to be hard and the pitch wasn’t the best,” Scott Brown said. “We couldn’t get our natural game going, we had to dig deep, we had to fight but overall it was a great performance by the lads.

“We defended really well, we had a couple of chances and we played as well as we possibly could do on a not so good pitch.

“We got some great games last year and played some good football as well in some great stadiums, so for us to go away to Lazio and get a win in Italy for the first time in the club’s history was phenomenal, and to beat Lazio at home as well – it was two good performances.

“But you need to do the hard graft as well to start with and coming here definitely was. It wasn’t the best pitch or the best stadium but you’ve got to come here and you’ve got to win the game, no matter what happens.

“We will just see what happens and we’re just looking forward to the draw now.”

Celtic will not have much time to savour their win over FK Sarajevo and look forward to the group stages of the Europa League, as they return to domestic action this Sunday with a lunchtime clash with St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.

The champions have been in impressive form in the Premiership this season, with seven wins and a draw from their opening eight fixtures, and they are just a point off the top of the table with a game in hand.

Last weekend, the Hoops produced a superb performance to beat Hibernian 3-0 at Celtic Park, and this Sunday they will be looking for another three points ahead of the latest international break.

“It’s going to be a hard game,” said Scott Brown. “St Johnstone are going to think we’ll be a little bit tired, especially with us playing on Thursday and then travelling home, but the lads are ready for it.

“We’ve got a great squad and we’re looking forward to another good game on Sunday. That’s what we thrive off of, the games coming thick and fast”

Scott Brown: We got our reward for a good Euro display in Bosnia