Rainer Bonhof believes that Celtic's pre-season trip to Germany will be the ideal way for the Parkhead side to prepare for the demands of the Champions League.

Neil Lennon's side were put through their paces at Lennoxtown last week and will now kick on a gear on the continent over the next fortnight.

They'll play three games, coming up against Augsburg, Stuttgart Kickers and VfR Aalen before travelling to Holland to face Ajax on Saturday, July 21.

Former German international and Scotland under-21 manager, Bonhof, expects the training camp to set Lennon's side up nicely for a campaign that opens with a tough Champions League qualifying tie.

"The games won't be too demanding for either side at this stage of the season," said Bonhof. "It's more about preparation and being ready for the demands of a new season, both physically and mentally.

"But I think a big thing for Celtic will be that they do not have too much travelling.

"It is always important, especially in the current times of testing economic pressures, to balance financial gain with what is best for the players.

"When you are offered lucrative invites to pre-season tournaments all over the world you can see that it makes sense to go and make as much money as you can.

"But sometimes that then means when you get round to kicking off the season that players are all over the place with jet lag or whatever.

"This summer Celtic will feel that they can maximise rest and training and get the players right for the first whistle."

Getting to the group stage of the Champions League for the first time since 2008 will be a huge challenge for Lennon's side.

They cannot afford to be slow starters as they seek to plough their way into the competition proper and this coming week will be all about preparing for that.

It will be a surreal season given the continuing controversy that is going on at Ibrox and it seems odds-on that it will be a straightforward season domestically for Celtic.

Lennon, though, will be desperate to further his reputation in Europe, while the Hoops players and fans will be desperate for the thrill of competing against those at the very top.

Bonhof said: "It can be very tough for Scottish teams to try and get into the group stage of the Champions League at this stage of the season.

"Many other teams are well into their season and playing a game with so much importance attached to it so early on can be very tough.

"I'm sure that Neil will be stressing the importance of the tie to his players and just slowly gearing them up for it.

"The games they are playing in Germany may not be the most taxing but at this point it is about easing into it and trying one or two new things out.

"You also have to remember that playing top teams who might end up beating you by a big margin isn't always the best psychological preparation for a season.

"This stage is all about blooding new players, getting the legs going again and the minds thinking.

"Players will always tell you that a good pre-season that is thorough and has the right balance of hard work and recovery really sets them up for the start of the campaign."

One welcome aspect of the trip will be an escape from the seemingly incessant Glasgow rain.

The appalling weather has cast a grey cloud over the city this past month but Germany are having a better time of it on that front.

"The forecast for the next couple of weeks is for sun and a nice 25-27 degrees," laughed Bonhof.

"These are pleasant conditions to come and train and play in – not oppressive and restrictive but just nice.

"It can be prohibitive when you are trying to have training sessions in parts of Europe where is can be meltingly hot at this time of year, but here in Germany I'd say it is ideal at the minute.

"I always feel that some heat can help those who are carrying any aches and strains.

"But I am sure that Celtic will benefit from their time in Germany. There are great facilities and it is not too far away from home so they should get the most out of it over the next week or so."