HJK Helsinki's match fitness of no concern to Celtic keeper Fraser Forster

Celtic will face Inter Milan in a friendly this weekend ahead of their Champions League qualifier.SNS Group

Fraser Forster says Celtic should have no fears over HJK Helsinki being fitter than them when they face each other next week.

The Finnish side will travel to Parkhead for the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie, having seen off KR 9-1 on aggregate in the previous round.

Celtic’s domestic campaign doesn’t start until August 4, whereas HJK are 18 games into the 2012 Veikkausliiga campaign and sit two points off the lead.

"They are a long way into their season but we can't affect it so it's pointless worrying about it," he said.

"We have some brilliant players and there is no reason why we can't compete.

"They will be ahead fitness wise but we have another week with the sports scientists and we will be working hard between now and then.

"We just have to play the way we know we can play and the way we showed last season, and if we do that it should be a good game."

Celtic have stuttered in their pre-season form, losing 4-0 to Ajax at the weekend before putting up an improved showing before going down 1-0 to Norwich City in midweek.

"Nothing at all, results are meaningless in pre-season,” Forster insisted. "It is just about getting fitness and sharpness.

"The Norwich game was a step up from how we performed when we were away and that was a positive so it is just important that we take that into Saturday's game."

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