We can't underestimate Alashkert, says James Forrest
James Forrest insists Celtic will be equipped to deal with Alashkert in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier on Tuesday night.
The Armenian champions stand between the Parkhead club and the second qualifying round, with the first match taking place in the capital city of Yerevan and the searing heat of the Republican Stadium.
Pointing to some unusual and testing matches in recent European campaigns, Forrest stressed that the Scottish champions will not be going into the game blind.
"The coaching staff have been doing their homework and we know it's going to be a tough game,'' the winger told the club's official website.
"Every game in the Champions League is difficult so we know we need to be ready right from the start.
"We've played in Kazakhstan which is a similar amount of time to travel so this is not unfamiliar to us. We'll be prepared come game time and we'll be ready to perform.
"We've played teams in Israel and Kazakhstan in qualification which were hostile atmospheres. All the boys in the team are experienced on that front.
"They played a team in our country a couple of years ago (St Johnstone) and we're up-to-date with that.
"We know some of their players in the national team, so we are fully aware that it's going to be a difficult game and we need to make sure we'll be ready from the start.
"In Champions League qualifiers, there's never easy games. This will be played under difficult circumstances given the weather and the pitch.
"We're going to make sure that we're ready right from the start.'