The £6 million summer recruit was given the challenging role of playing on the right side of a center-back pairing that featured two left-footed defenders. This unique setup required him to adapt quickly and showcase his versatility, as he navigated the complexities of maintaining defensive stability while complementing his teammates’ playing styles.
Liam Scales insists that Celtic must be on high alert as they prepare for their upcoming match in Dortmund. The defender has voiced strong support for his new teammate, Auston Trusty, expressing confidence that he will shine on the big stage. Scales believes Celtic has what it takes to pull off a famous Champions League victory against Borussia Dortmund.
Brendan Rodgers’ side heads to Germany brimming with confidence ahead of their showdown in the 81,000-capacity Signal Iduna Park. However, there is also a sense of caution within the camp as they look to avoid repeating last season’s damaging setbacks that stemmed from red cards. The team understands the importance of discipline in such high-stakes matches, and Scales is determined to lead by example.
In last season’s group-stage matches, Celtic faced significant challenges on the road, suffering three dismissals. Gustaf Lagerbielke and Odin Thiago Holm were both sent off during a loss to Feyenoord, while Daizen Maeda received a harsh red card that triggered a heavy defeat to Atletico Madrid. Scales understands the critical importance of avoiding such troubling scenarios in Dortmund and noted, “He [Rodgers] would have spoken about it before the first game against Bratislava because it killed two fixtures for us by getting players sent off.
“Obviously, those were tough matches last season, but it’s crucial to keep our discipline. The refereeing in Champions League games can be strict; we saw that against Bratislava, where you can’t make a foul without risking a yellow card. We need to be careful but still maintain intensity in our defending. It’s about being defensively solid, keeping all 11 men on the pitch, and not conceding easy goals.”
“It’s obviously going to be really difficult, and we’ll do very well to get a result, but we believe we can,” Scales stated. “We also need to go there with a bit of confidence, knowing that if we play our game, we can go and win.”Scales is eager to take the field and could potentially be partnered by Auston Trusty in the heart of defense. However, there are concerns regarding Cameron Carter-Vickers, who missed the weekend’s rout of St Johnstone due to a toe issue and remains a significant doubt for the match against Dortmund. The uncertainty surrounding Carter-Vickers’ availability adds extra pressure on Scales and Trusty to step up and deliver a strong defensive performance in what promises to be a challenging encounter.
Trusty, who joined the club for £6 million, formed a strong partnership with Scales during their recent match in Perth, and the Irishman is confident in his abilities if called upon again. Scales praised Trusty’s performance, saying, “Austin was brilliant. He won everything. Of course, being the only right-footer among two left-footers meant he got the short straw playing on the right side, but he didn’t look out of place at all. He didn’t appear uncomfortable, which is fantastic.“It’s just how we lined up during the week and the shape was a decision made by the manager. He was solid throughout, winning everything in the air and really making an impact. He was, without a doubt, really, really good.”
“He’s a top player, and I think whoever it is, we’re ready because we’ve had the chance to play with each other now,” Scales said. “I have no preference; we have so many good players in each position that we can handle injuries here and there.“Cam’s obviously a massive player for us, but I keep emphasizing that the strength in depth within the squad is incredible. The competition for places is fierce—no one’s position is truly secure right now because of how good the next player is to step in. Even when we rotate the lineup, I don’t believe it weakens us. It’s just a really good place to be as a team.”
The challenge in Dortmund will be significantly tougher than the one faced in Perth, but when asked if he believed Celtic could secure a victory, Scales confidently replied, “Yeah, we just need to go and play the way we’ve been playing and see where that takes us.“Obviously, they’ve got a top, top side, and it’s an away fixture in the Champions League, so we know it’s going to be difficult. However, if we perform the way we have been in the league, it gives us our best chance of getting a result there, and that’s the plan.” Scales’ optimism reflects the team’s confidence in their style of play and their ability to compete at the highest level.
”Scales is eager to take the field and could potentially be partnered by Auston Trusty in the heart of defense. However, there are concerns regarding Cameron Carter-Vickers, who missed the weekend’s rout of St Johnstone due to a toe issue and remains a significant doubt for the match against Dortmund. The uncertainty surrounding Carter-Vickers’ availability adds extra pressure on Scales and Trusty to step up and deliver a strong defensive performance in what promises to be a challenging encounter.