Liam Scales sets Celtic 'fortress' target for Champions League push as Parkhead turns crucial weapon

Liam Scales insists Celtic must make it Fortress Parkhead if they are to get their Champions League up and running against Lazio.

The Italian giants head to Glasgow on Wednesday and the Hoops are looking to kick-start their campaign after going down to Feyenoord in Holland in their opening clash. Scales knows home form is crucial to European success – and he’s out to get points on the board this week and when Atletico Madrid land in Scotland later this month.

The centre back said: “Celtic Park is definitely a tough place for other teams to come. If we can pick up points at home it can leave us in a good position. We have to make it a fortress and take points off these big teams when they come to Celtic Park. We know we can because we have the ability. We need to make it really difficult for them and see how well we can do in the group.

“It’s going to be tough. It will be similar to Feyenoord. We will have to sit down and analyse them and see where they are at their best. That’s going to be our focus this week. Every team in the Champions League is a tough side so we know we need to bring our top game to go and get a result.”

Scales featured for Celts in the Europa League under Ange Postecoglou but he insisted he’s ready to grab his opportunity on the biggest of stages. He said: “I haven’t experienced the Champions League as a player.

"I was there against Real Madrid last year when I was on loan at Aberdeen, so I experienced it from the stands and it was amazing. I can’t wait to experience it on the pitch.”

Scales was a stand-out against Feyenoord and ended up the last man standing after red cards to Gustaf Lagerbielke and Odin Thiago Holm cost Celts the points.

But the performance gave the defender believe he can