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JOHN HUGHES admits the John Collins factor could offer a crucial advantage to Caley Thistle as they embark on their first European adventure.

The Highlanders’ historic step into the Europa League will see them host Romanian top-flight club Astra on July 16 before an away trip seven days later.

Astra sprang a shock by knocking French giants Lyon out of the tournament last year and then faced Celtic in the group stage.

They eventually finished bottom of Group D but proved no pushovers for the Scottish champions, holding them to a 1-1 draw at home and losing narrowly 2-1 in Glasgow.

Collins’s dossier will be accessed by close pal Hughes as the Scottish Cup winners plot a route to the next round.

Yogi, who was with Collins near Edinburgh yesterday as the draw was made, said: “It is an exciting draw but a very tough one.

“We know all about them. I’m sitting here with John now and they were in Celtic’s Europa League group last year.

“So we will get a lot of information and detailed knowledge on them from John. We’ll get the DVDs and have a right good look at them.

“Logistically, it could be a bit of a problem but talking to John he tells me Celtic stayed in Bucharest and travelled an hour or so down the road to Giurgiu, where they play.

“That will be good for the fans as they can go and visit a beautiful city like Bucharest, which is just 60 kilometres or so away. We’ll just look at how Celtic did it and build our plans around that.

“We know it is going to be a tough game. They are a quality team but it’s one we’re all looking forward to.”

Inverness midfielder Greg Tansey revealed the players are still pinching themselves at the prospect of taking a massive leap into the unknown.

And the Liverpudlian reckons flying to Romania will be a “surreal” experience for the squad.

He said: “It’s good for us to know what’s in store now, with Astra our opponents, and it’ll be a blast going to Romania.

“We’re going into uncharted territory for this Caley Thistle side.

“I would imagine we’ll charter a plane over there and it will be a bit surreal – unlike anything most of us have ever experienced before.

“I don’t think Inverness airport does regular flights to Romania!

“But most games we play are three hours or so away anyway so travelling won’t bother us.”

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FACT FILE

Name: Fotbal Club Astra Giurgiu

Nickname: Dracii Negrii (Black Devils)

Founded: 1921

Ground: Stadionul Marin Anastasovici

Capacity: 8,500

Owner: Ioan Niculae

Chairman: Dănuţ Coman

Manager: Marius Șumudică

League: Liga I

League position 2014–15: 4th