Liam Scales and Josip Juranovic on target in Europe ahead of imminent Celtic moves

By Euan Davidson

August 19, 2021

Celtic targets and imminent arrivals Liam Scales and Josip Juranovic both hit the target for their sides in European action tonight.

Scales scored a consolation as Shamrock Rovers were beaten by Flora Tallinn in Europa Conference League qualification [FotMob]. Playing on the left of a midfield five, the Irishman made a late impact, but it wasn’t enough to see the Rovers through.

Juranovic, meanwhile, had better luck. His goal put Legia Warsaw 2-0 up against Slavia Prague. Unfortunately, the Polish side conceded two late first-half goals, with the evenly-matched teams playing out a dramatic contest in the Czech Republic.

The goal he scored; though. The Croatian international marked his likely final Legia appearance by picking up the ball from his own half, running unimpeded for thirty yards, before walloping the ball into the top corner.

Thankfully, for Celtic supporters, Juranovic was taken off after 46 minutes. Goal scored, fans satiated, job done.

Celtic supporters excited about Liam Scales and Josip Juranovic

Both players have all but confirmed moves to Celtic. The Irish Mirror reported that the Bhoys had sealed the deal to land Scales, and that he’d arrive later this month.

Juranovic has already been congratulated by his Legia Warsaw teammates. That’s according to his manager, Czesław Michniewicz. The Legia boss said [Sun]:

“Today many people congratulated him that he would have a chance to develop in another club.

“But we also feel sorry that he would not be with us anymore. I’m not surprised he’s going, but it’s humanly sad that [he] will go away.”

Supporters have reacted with excitement to both deals. Scales, at 23, has surely outgrown the League of Ireland. As someone who can play either centre-back or left-back, he’d provide quality cover at the back.

Croatian international Juranovic can slot straight into the first-team, although the form of Anthony Ralston has been excellent. From worrying about having no sufficient right-backs, Celtic supporters could have two considerably good options.

Good times for the Bhoys, then.

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