SCALES’ VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

BRENDAN RODGERS has given a clear indication that he has every confidence in Liam Scales’ qualities at left-back ahead of Celtic’s Champions League kick-off.

The Hoops boss has named a 25-man squad for the play-off encounters against Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty with the first leg due at Parkhead on Wednesday.

Rodgers has omitted new arrival Hayato Inamura from his player pool which leaves him short of cover for Kieran Tierney in the No.3 position.

HAPPY HOOPS…Liam Scales is congratulated by Colby Donovan and Kieran Tierney after heading in the final goal in Celtic’s 4-0 pre-season win over Newcastle United.

Scales has taken over the wide left slot in the Premiership wins over St Mirren and Aberdeen when the comeback Bhoy has been removed from the action with the Republic of Ireland international moving out of the central defensive role.

That has opened the way for the introduction of Auston Trusty to play alongside his USA team-mate Cameron Carter-Vickers.

CELTIC EURO SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS:

Kasper Schmeichel, Viljami Sinisalo, Ross Doohan;

DEFENDERS:

Alistair Johnston, Anthony Ralston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, Auston Trusty, Kieran Tierney, Dane Murray, Stephen Welsh, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey;

MIDFIELDERS: 

Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Arne Engels, Benjamin Nygren, Luke McCowan, Paulo Bernardo;

FORWARDS:

James Forrest, Yang Hyun-jun, Adam Idah, Shin Yamada, Johnny Kenny, Daizen Maeda and Callum Osmand.