Scott Brown has called on other Scottish sides to raise their game in European football to help everyone's chances of reaching the group stages of competitions.

The Scottish champions find themselves playing four Champions League qualifying rounds this season, one more than their previous campaign.

The Celtic captain said "it just gets harder and harder" for teams in Scotland to progress in continental competitions.

Brown said: "In the past two teams were in the Champions League before and we've done that so here's hoping we can hopefully one day get back right into the Champions League".

"It just gets harder and harder for us to get in, but until everyone else starts helping us out in the Champions League...We got to do it (ourselves)."

"We want to get back in the Champions League we've done it the last two seasons, this season it's going to be that bit harder with the fourth game"

The Celtic skipper said his side are still deep into their pre-season but says everybody is "looking sharp"

Many players are yet to return from World Cup action but Brown is confident the team has the talent to see them through to the next stage.

Celtic take a three goal lead to Celtic Park ahead of the second leg of their first qualifying match with Alashkert.

He said: "We've had a great pre-season so far and we've got a big squad and everyone's trying to push themselves into the team."

"Whatever team the manager puts out I'm sure they will be looking to play as long they can to get as many minutes under their belt as they possibly can."

"We've got a great bunch of lads here and great management staff as well and the club is going in the right direction so for us we should be pushing that as far as we can."