FK Jablonec boss Petr Rada says Celtic ’s signing of Joe Hart proves their off-field muscle.
And the Czech coach is adamant it means nothing that his countrymen Sparta Prague pummelled the Parkhead side on the park during last term’s Europa League.
Rada’s team will have the backing of a 6,000 capacity crowd at the Stadion Strelnice and he reckons they’ll need them with Ange Postecoglou’s team a strong opponent.
Hart could make a debut in goal and the Jablonec manager said: “Celtic has many players of great quality.
“They play well as a team and, of course, they can buy good players because their economic situation is good.
“I know they bought the goalkeeper, Joe Hart, so it must be pretty good in their team.
“This is very different side to the one that lost to Sparta last year. The only thing we can do is be prepared because they are a very strong opponent."
Sparta took eight goals off Neil Lennon’s men in two group matches, but Rada added: “It’s true those Sparta games were not so long ago, but they have a new coach and they have many new players.
“Their last season was perhaps not ideal, but I wouldn’t want to compare that side to the team they have now.
“They are certainly very ambitious for this year. Also Celtic is a big name as it is. They have so many titles. It’s a great opponent to have and it will be a great challenge for us.”
Rada admits it was a shock to see Celtic lose to Hearts last weekend, but his team were also dismissed in their league by 3-0 to Mlada Boleslav.
He added: “At the start of the season, they certainly expected to win.
“Hearts are back in the Premiership after some time and it’s true that the two Glasgow teams, Rangers and Celtic, are dominant in the Scottish league. But it happens, even to them.”
