BRENDAN RODGERS has revealed the reasoning behind three of his summer signings being left out of his Champions League squad.
The Celtic boss omitted Polish defender Maik Nawrocki, Australian winger Marco Tilio and South Korean midfielder Kwon Hyeon-kyu from his 25-man pool for the forthcoming fixtures against Atletico Madrid, Lazio and Feyenoord.
The champaign will kick off in Rotterdam on Tuesday evening, but there will be no place for the trio of recent recruits or Argentinian left-back Alexandro Bernabei or Swiss keeper Benji Siegrist.
The versatility of Republic of Ireland’s Liam Scales gave him the edge over Bernabei who cost £3.75million when Ange Postecoglou signed him from top-flight Lunas last summer.
IRISH AYES…Liam Scales got the nod ahead of £3.75m Alexandro Bernabei in Champions League squad.
Explaining why he made the decision, Rodgers, speaking at today’s media conference, said: “It was exactly that. Obviously, you’re looking at a number of things – you have eight associated home-trained players which leaves you 17.
“So you’re then having to strategically look it at and the players who are going to come in and the players where you need cover.
“And then you’re weighing up injuries, as well. How long are they going to be out for? And obviously, the likes of Maik will be out for a period of time.
“So those are the type of things you’re looking at when you’re picking the squad.”
More immediate concern, though, for the Irishman is preparing his players for the visit of Dundee to the east end of Glasgow on Saturday afternoon where there is a chance crocked Reo Hatate will make a comeback.
