ANGE POSTECOGLOU is pondering handing new Bhoy Liam Scales his first start against Dundee United at Parkhead this afternoon.
The young Irishman made his debut as a second-half substitute in the 3-0 Premier Sports League Cup win over Championship side Raith Rovers on Thursday to book a semi-final meeting with holders St Johnstone at Hampden in November.
The game was already won when the £600,000 recruit from Shamrock Rovers took his Hoops bow on the hour mark, but the 22-year-old versatile defender looked neat and composed on the ball as moved into the left-back spot with Adam Montgomery pushing further forward to take the place of Liel Abada.
Scales was overlooked for last weekend’s 1-0 flop in Livingston with Boli Bolingoli making his first appearance in over a year after his Covid-busting secret trip to Spain in August 2020.
READY FOR ACTION…Liam Scales in training with Albian Ajeti.
However, the 22-year-old prospect could get the nod to face the Tannadice side today with Postecoglou realising there is no room for error in this confrontation.
Albian Ajeti is the only striker in his 23-man squad which is again without deadline-day signing Giorgos Giakoumakis, the Greek striker whose hopes of game time against the Kirkcaldy team were dashed when he injured a calf in the warm-up.
Also out are skipper Callum McGregor, top scorer Kyogo Furuhashi and Scotland duo Greg Taylor and James Forrest. Long-term crock Christopher Jullien could make his comeback after next month’s international break.
PROVISIONAL SQUAD
Hart, Bain, Barkas, Hazard, Ralston, Juranovic, Scales, Bolingoli, Montgomery, Starfelt, Welsh, Urhoghide, Carter-Vickers, Murray, Bitton, Soro, McCarthy, Turnbull, Rogic, Henderson, Jota, Abada and Ajeti.
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Celtic v Dundee United this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.
