Brendan Rodgers had a lot to be happy about coming out of the game against Feyenoord. The Northern Irishman guided Celtic to their first win in the Champions League in over six years. Their last victory came against Anderlecht, during the manager's first stint at the club. This was also their first win in the competition at Parkhead in over ten years.
Of course, the result did not have an impact on the standings. They still ended up finishing bottom of their group. But they at least have something to be happy about from this season's campaign and hopefully a base for more success in the future.
Celtic have not been particularly impressive since the return of Rodgers in the summer. But some players have certain improved under his management.
Liam Scales is certainly one of them. His rise from the bottom of the Celtic centre-back pecking order to being one of the club's most important players is certainly inspirational. And he put in a Man of the Match display in the win over Feyenoord.
Rodgers points out Celtic player in win vs Feyenoord
Rodgers reserved special praise for Scales. As reported by TBR Football, the Celtic manager told BBC Sportsound:
"I thought he [Liam Scales] was excellent. I thought him and Stephen Welsh, who hadn’t played for a long time for us either, I thought he done great for us to last that long.
“But Scalesy’s obviously come in and I think he’s shown from pre-season he was a player who was maybe unsure of what his future was that he can come in and consistently play in the Champions League.
“And he’s played very, very well. It was a very good performance from him tonight. I’m delighted for him."
Scales has certainly been one of Celtic's best players this season and at the moment, he has to be considered a nailed-on starter for the club. A series of injuries at centre-back opened up an opportunity for him earlier in the campaign and he quite certainly did not let it slip.
That has meant that summer signings like Gustaf Lagerbielke and Maik Nawrocki have not gotten much playing time since arriving. It remains to be seen if the situation changes for them in the future. But right now, Scales and Cameron Carter-Vickers are the best centre-back pairing available to Rodgers.