WE CAN'T USE THE RANGERS GAME AS AN EXCUSE FOR BEING SO DISMAL

Irish international Scales says Hoops must take responsibility for poor show in Denmark as O'Neill suffers his first defeat

- BY RYAN MCDONALD

LIAM SCALES insists Celtic have no excuses for the Midtjylland mauling that's left the Parkhead men's Europa League hopes hanging by a threat.

Celtic's injury hit squad was already stretched on the back of last weekend's extra time Old Firm win in the League Cup semifinal at Hampden - and there's also been the massive upheaval following Brendan Rodgers's shock departure.

But Scales insisted the Hoops won't be looking for any cop outs after the continental collapse.

He said: "It would be easy to say yes to that, but we can't use that as an excuse. The game obviously went to extra time on the weekend, but we have a big enough squad and full-time athletes, so it's not an excuse.

"We actually kicked on towards the end of the game, so I don't think tiredness played a role at all."

Scales is adamant the managerial bombshell wasn't a factor either. The Ireland defender was stunned at the Rodgers exit but he's confident the club is in safe hands with Martin O'Neill in temporary charge.

He said: "No, I don't think so. I think we know we just have to deal with it as it comes.