LIAM Scales has dismissed suggestions Celtic need to adopt a more pragmatic approach in Europe in the wake of their Champions League mauling by Borussia Dortmund.
The Scottish champions were thumped 7-1 in their second outing in Europe’s revamped elite club competition in the Westfalenstadion on Tuesday night.
In the aftermath of the defeat in Germany, there were calls for Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers to switch to a less attacking gameplan against top continental opposition.
However, Republic of Ireland defender Scales remains confident the Parkhead outfit can succeed on the road in Europe if they persevere with the style of play they favour domestically.
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“We didn’t want to go there and sit in and hope for the best,” he said. “We could’ve done that and lost the game 1-0 or 2-0 maybe. Obviously, it’s not an embarrassing result, but it’s not particularly good to watch.
“We wanted to go there and play the way we play against everyone, that’s the mentality we have. They [Dortmund] were clinical and really ruthless. There were little errors that maybe we haven’t usually been making, it was just one of those nights where everything seemed to go in.”
Dortmund captain and Germany midfielder Emre Can opened the scoring against Celtic from the penalty spot, before Japanese attacker Daizen Maeda levelled shortly after.
But goals from Karim Adeyemi, Serhou Guirassy, and Felix Nmecha made the tie a German demolition job.
The Glasgow club currently sit 20th in the Champions League table thanks to their impressive 5-1 victory in their Parkhead opener over Slovakian outfit Slovan Bratislava.
Following the defeat in Germany, ex-Liverpool boss Rodgers was questioned for his tactical set-up, as his side attempted to replicate their high-pressing and expansive football that has shot them to the top of the Scottish Premiership table.
Scales however, believes in the long-term playing philosophy, and that he and his teammates will get it right in time.
The 26-year-old said: “If we go away from home and we’re intense and we press well and we get to the levels we’re capable of, we’ll be able to get results away from home, we’ll be able to pick up points. It’s a step up, but we’ve got a lot of quality here. I think we will get it right eventually.
“We have an ethos to go and stick to our guns and I think that’s right. I think it’s more exciting, it’s the way we play, it’s what we want to be known for – a high counter-pressing team.”
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The former Aberdeen player conceded that on the night, Dortmund were better all over the park, and that the Glasgow-side didn’t perform to their standards.
“That shouldn’t scare us into completely changing what we do,” he said. “I think it would be worse if we change what we do than it would be if we can fix a few things and get better.
"We are already good at pressing and counter-pressing, but if we can get a little better then it’s better than completely reverting to being defensive, which doesn’t really suit the squad we have.”
The Premiership-champions have little time to dwell on their sorrows, with an away trip to Dingwall to face Ross County awaiting them.
Don Cowie’s sit seventh in the table, and welcome the Hoops to the Global Energy Stadium at midday on Sunday in the final game before the international break.
The fixtures coming thick and fast is something that Scales welcomes, with the weekend journey to the Highlands presenting an opportunity to make amends.
Scales said: “If we can go and put it right on Sunday we finish this little block of games between the international windows unbeaten. It’s one win in the Champions League and still in the cup competition, I think you’d take that. Obviously you don’t want to get beaten and beaten well in Europe, but we’ve also won a game in Europe and that’s a good start for us. All in all, if we can go and win on Sunday, if we reflect on that, it’s been a good start.”
The Barndarrig-native was once again called up to Heimir Hallgrimsson’s Republic of Ireland squad, with the boys in green matching up against Finland and Greece away from home.
The Irishman admitted: “It’s been a busy one with St Johnstone last weekend as well, then the midweek game away, this one away and then two away with Ireland. It’s five in a row, it is a lot, but it’s good to see different places, play in different places, and experience different atmospheres. It’s good, I can’t complain!”
