Steve Madeley's West Brom Austria tour diary

With little entertainment on offer away from the training ground in this picturesque but sleepy corner south east Austria, the start of Celtic's European campaign last night took centre-stage at the team hotel.

In the Celtic camp was Steven Reid, the former Republic of Ireland international and committed Hoops fan who almost moved to Parkhead before making a permanent switch to the Hawthorns.

But Northern Ireland pair Gareth McAuley and Chris Brunt – both firmly on the Glasgow Rangers side – were hoping for an upset from Belfast side Cliftonville in the Champions League qualifiers.

The rivalry made it to Twitter, where McAuley posted: 'Good luck to Cliftonville tonight, get wired in, hope you beat that lot!"

Reid responded: "Expecting a goal fest for the mighty #hoops tonight." Given the Hoops' victory, it's a safe bet Messrs McAuley and Brunt kept a low profile at breakfast.

Meanwhile, there is a new sheriff in town at the Baggies' hotel after defender Liam Ridgewell was placed in charge of keeping his team-mates in check.

The former Aston Villa and Birmingham stopper will overlook the players' fines system, which punishes those who breach rules concerning kit, punctuality, dress codes and conduct at training.

Jonas Olsson was even stung in the pocket for leaving boots on the training pitch while taking a dip in an ice bath and captain Chris Brunt seems worried that the extra power might have gone to Ridgewell's head.

Brunt said: "He's fining everyone for anything. So far players have come a cropper for things like having their phones at the dinner table and wearing flip flops in the gym.

"He's taking things to the extreme! A lot of the lads are struggling with the phone rule because they are glued to them over here. He's a tough man!"

And Cameron Gayle was expecting an uncomfortable time last night after being told he was top of the bill at dinner-time.

The young Baggies defender, who is on his maiden trip with the first-team, has been handed the tough task of following new signing Nicolas Anelka by performing an 'initiation' song for his colleagues.

Anelka's French rap was a hit with his team-mates and was watched by Baggies fans across the world, thanks to goalkeeping Ben Foster posting a video online.

Brunt revealed: "He's got 24 hours to come up with something. If he doesn't, Ridgey will probably fine him, too!"