By Cheryl Wood

THE PEACE and tranquillity that Barcelona stars enjoyed in St Andrews last year are among the factors bringing the club back for its second pre-season training camp in Scotland.

Fans in the town have already been praised for keeping a respectful distance from the likes of Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry as they were put through their paces at the St Andrews University playing fields.

Delegate for the Catalan giants Carlos Naval praised the peace and tranquillity of the town yesterday during a visit to check out the accommodation and training facilities.

The club will again be staying at the Old Course Hotel when it returns on July 21 and, as well as training at the university sports club, will take on Dundee United and Hibs in pre-season friendlies.

Speaking through an interpreter, Mr Naval described St Andrews as a “good environment” for pre-season training.

Referring to last year’s visit, he said, “The conditions were good and the training facilities and accommodation were good.

“We have absolutely no complaints about last year and we hope it will be the same again this year.”

Last year superstars Henry, Ronaldinho and team-mates including Samuel Eto’o and Deco were a big pull for fans, who crowded around the playing fields at St Leonards Road to watch them in action.

While the club’s line-up for next season remains uncertain, Mr Naval promised there would still be plenty of big names to draw spectators.

Although only the coach and technical director could say who the first team will include, he said, “It is really important to Barcelona as a club to have the best quality of players and, for sure, the club won’t change that standard this year.”

It’s unlikely, however, that any of them will be spotted making the most of the town’s famous golf courses or its nightlife.

While the club won’t prevent players from tasting what the town has to offer, outside of the fixtures at Murrayfield on July 24 and at Tannadice on July 26 they face an intense schedule of training twice daily.

Mr Naval said, “In theory they have the time but in reality they will be training morning and evening and in between they like to relax and don’t tend to go out at night time.”

The club, under new manager Pep Guardiola, will be to looking to use the week-long training camp to regain stability following a trophyless season which saw former coach Frank Rijkaard sacked.

Mr Naval said, “The pre- season is very important and St Andrews is a good place to build (the club) back up.”