Toshack lukewarm over Celtic Cup

Manager John Toshack would rather hand-pick Wales' opponents

Wales manager John Toshack is unsure of what benefits a 'Celtic Cup' offers.

Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have agreed "in principle" to play a series of three biennial tournaments, starting in 2009.

Toshack would rather use those dates to play friendly matches against teams of a style Wales will face in World Cup and European Championship qualifiers.

"My feelings are mixed. It wouldn't be my preference but at the same time I can understand it," Toshack said.

Wales have been drawn in a qualifying group containing Germany, Russia, Finland, Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

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The group qualifying campaign will begin in September 2008 and run until October 2009, the top teams going through and the second placed teams entering play-offs in November.

There are two friendly international dates in June 2009 and another in August that would be most likely for a Celtic Cup tournament, although there is also one free date earlier in the year in February.

Football Association of Wales general secretary David Collins has put his signature to the proposal, but Toshack says he is not 100% convinced that is the best preparation for Wales's World Cup campaign.

"In the major tournaments - European Championship and World Cup qualifiers - we can get drawn in the same group as the Irish or the Scots," Toshack added.

"It hasn't happened this time, so normally you look to play opposition in friendly games similar to the type of opposition you will face in the competitive games.

"That's what I've always tried to do but if the authorities, having looked at everything, feel that these friendly games would be positive, then off we go, I don't mind that too much.

"Travel-wise there's not too much problem, whether or not the public would go for it is another thing."