By Ian Roache

THE RESPECT shown by the Scottish public to some of football’s biggest names was a crucial factor in Barcelona’s decision to return to St Andrews, it has emerged.

The Catalan giants are heading back to the Fife town in July for their summer training camp after enjoying a successful first spell there last year.

The likes of Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry drew big crowds to the Old Course Hotel and the St Andrews University grounds where they trained.

However, the fact that the fans kept a respectful distance and gave the stars space and time to work played a significant part in the decision to make the trip again.

Hibs will face Barca at Murrayfield on July 24—following on from their Edinburgh rivals Hearts last summer—while Barca will play a rematch against Dundee United two days later.

Barca technical director Txiki Begiristain outlined the thinking behind the club’s second tartan tour, which is again being managed by sports and events firm Platinum One.

“We feel more comfortable training at St Andrews than we do in Spain or South America in front of so many people,” he said.

“Last year we were very well supported but they were very respectful which was perfect for us.

“The St Andrews people are nice and they are not crowding our players for autographs.”

Another major plus for the club is Scotland’s mild summer climate, a welcome relief from the heat of the Catalan capital.

“The weather is key to the training,” added Begiristain.

“It is far too hot at that time of year in Spain and in Scotland it is a lot cooler.

“It is a very important time for us to prepare for the new season and we feel it is the perfect place to train.”

Tickets for the two matches are selling well and Begiristain promised supporters they can look forward to a host of fresh faces in the Barca team, who will also have a new coach following the departure of Frank Rijkaard.

“We are going to have a new squad and there will be some big name players coming in,” he said.

“Last year we had the signature of Thierry Henry.

“People are going to see a new and different team when we come to St Andrews in July.

“We will bring in big-name players and we are a team that just doesn’t win 1-0, we are always looking to have flair players.”