LIAM SCALES experienced that special feeling of a Champions League triumph the last time he played in Europe’s elite competition.
That success was achieved on December 13 last year when the Republic of Ireland international defender played his part in Brendan Rodgers’ side’s dramatic late win over Feyenoord at Parkhead.
The group encounter was tied at 1-1 with a minute to go before Gustaf Lagerbielke, who had replaced Stephen Welsh only moments earlier, emerged at the back post to head in a cross from Matt O’Riley.
As the ball nestled in the Dutch team’s net, the players and 56,391 fans celebrated the Hoops’ first win at this level in 10 long years.
SWEDE DREAMS…Gustaf Lagerbielke celebrates his Champions League winner against Feyenoord in December last year.
Now Scales is determined to sample that unique atmosphere again as the team prepare for the kick-off to the new-look tournament when Slovan Bratislava provide the opposition under the lights in the east end of Glasgow on Wednesday evening.
Gearing up for another appearance on Europe’s most glamorous and demanding stage, the centre-back said: “It would be great for the club to be playing in knock-out games in Europe.
“It would be amazing and that’s what we’re looking at. With the new format, who knows how it’s going to work out?
“Obviously, it’s the first year it’s happened, so we need to go in thinking that we can get into the last 16 or into the play-off for the last 16, whatever way it works.”
The champions spent £32million in the summer transfer market in bringing in the likes of Belgian midfielder Arne Engels, Scales’ fellow-Irish international Adam Idah and American back-four operator Auston Trusty.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE…Liam Scales protects Joe Hart as the keeper collects a low ball in Celtic’s 2-0 loss to Lazio in Rome last season.
Quizzed if the club possess the quality within the squad to make the breakthrough to the last 16, Scales answered: “Yeah, definitely. There are two or three players in each position that are more capable of starting and making an impact for us.
“So, I think that’s really going to push all of us to play our best football and I think we’re in a good place. It’s nice to have the extra games, as well. I think it’s all positive.
“We know how difficult games in Europe are and we are prepared for that. But, at the same time, we’re happy with where we are.”
Astonishingly, the hosts have failed to win in 12 attempts in their opening section game with the wretched sequence stretching back to 2001.
Scales, speaking to the Daily Record, admitted: “I didn’t know that, but, look, it’s a home game and we’re in good form. It would be brilliant to break another record in midweek.
“It would be a great way to start the campaign and put us on the front foot.
“You don’t know how many points will get you a play-off spot, so it could be massive for us later on in the year. This place will be rocking. The fans will be excited for it, we’re all excited for it and really looking forward to it.
“So, it would be great to go and get a win and start the campaign that way.”
WE’RE BEHIND YOU…Liam Scales and his team-mates will have the full backing of the Celtic faithful in the Champions League campaign.
As well as overcoming Feyenoord, the Hoops picked up a point in their 2-2 draw against Atletico Madrid last season. Their only failure at Parkhead came when they were undone by a stoppage-time goal from Lazio in a 2-1 loss.
Scales added: “I feel like we were stronger at home than we were away. Obviously, in the away games, we got men sent off and that didn’t help.
“I feel like every game at home could have gone either way. If that’s the case, then we really need to be putting teams to bed and winning these home games.
“I think that’s where we can make an improvement. You hear that it’s a favourable draw and, on paper, it might look that way. But they’re all really good sides, playing at the top of their level.
“It is massively important to win those games at home. I think we’re in the right place now to go and do that because of how good we’ve been playing domestically.
“If we can bring that form and improve on it in Europe, we’ll have a good chance.”
