Liam Scales included in Celtic’s 25-man Champions League squad
Liam Scales has been included in Celtic’s Champions League squad after the 25-player list was submitted this afternoon.
The former UCD and Shamrock Rovers defender, who is yet to win a senior cap for Ireland, impressed for the Hoops in their recent Glasgow derby victory over Rangers and it appears to have been enough to convince manager Brendan Rodgers that the Wicklow native can be trusted.
Celtic returned to the group stages of Europe’s biggest club football competition for the first time in five years last season, under Ange Postecoglou, but they failed to win any of their six games, taking two points from their clashes with Shakhtar Donetsk and losing to both RB Leipzig and Real Madrid twice.
While Scales is included, fellow defenders Maik Nawrocki, Alexandro Bernabei and Yuki Kobayashi have missed out on a spot in the Champions League squad.
Polish centre-back Nawrocki is out injured with a hamstring problem and faces a continued lay-off of about six weeks along with fellow defenders Cameron Carter-Vickers and Stephen Welsh.
The latter pair have made the 25-man squad with Welsh’s homegrown credentials a potential factor in the decision.
Celtic since signed Nat Phillips on loan from Liverpool to deal with their injury list at the back, with fellow summer signing Gustaf Lagerbielke in the pool too.
Japanese central defender Kobayashi is expected to return to fitness soon following an ankle injury but he is not listed in the squad.
There is also no place for goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist, midfielder Kwon Hyeok-kyu and summer signing Marco Tilio, who arrived at Celtic with an injury, along with James McCarthy, who last featured in October last year.
Celtic begin their European campaign in Rotterdam next Tuesday against Feyenoord and also face Lazio and Atletico Madrid in their group.
Meanwhile, manager Brendan Rodgers expects to have Reo Hatate and recent loan signing Nat Phillips in his squad for Saturday’s cinch Premiership encounter against Dundee at Celtic Park.
Rodgers told Celtic TV: “Reo Hatate is now back training with the squad, which is great news. His energy has been really good, he has worked really hard since he picked up that injury at Aberdeen.
“I’m really pleased he is back. He is a top midfield player and his mind is really focused now on playing in the team and doing very well.
“Nat Phillips is training with the squad so hopefully he will be available for the weekend.
“Cameron Carter-Vickers is still a little bit away. He will be more early October before he is back but he is out on the grass and working well.
“Marco Tilio is back with the squad. It is going to take him a little bit of time to get up to speed.
“And some of the other boys are a little bit further behind.”
