Celtic announced their squad for the league phase of the Europa League earlier this week after they were knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers by Kairat.
There were some interesting selection decisions made by Brendan Rodgers and his staff, including the exclusion of summer signings Shin Yamada and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey.
The Hoops swooped to sign Simpson-Pusey from Premier League giants Manchester City to bolster their options in the centre-back positions, but he has yet to get going at Parkhead.
A month on from his arrival in Glasgow, the 19-year-old defender has not even made the matchday squad in any of the club's four domestic matches, and was an unused substitute in two games against Kairat in the Champions League.
simpson-pusey-man-city-celtic
Now, the teenage talent has been left out of the squad for the league phase of the Europa League and does not appear to be a frontline part of the manager's thinking.
This suggests that the Manchester City loanee is unlikely to be a threat to any of the current starters at the back for Celtic anytime soon, despite some criticism of the left side of the defence.
Why Celtic may need a new left-sided defender
After the 0-0 draw with Rangers in the Scottish Premiership last weekend, 67HailHail posted an article highlighting numerous posts from Celtic supporters who have been unimpressed with Liam Scales and are confused as to why he is starting games.
The Ireland international has started every league game for the Hoops this season and started both legs against Kairat in the left-sided centre-back position over Auston Trusty.
Trusty-Celtic-Champions-League
Auston Trusty
Whilst some supporters appear to be calling for the USA international, who was signed from Sheffield United on a permanent deal last summer, to come into the starting line-up, the ex-Arsenal defender did not cover himself in glory in the Premiership last season.
Trusty was given plenty of opportunities to impress by Rodgers, starting 22 times in the league, but failed to outperform Scales with his defensive contributions.
24/25 Premiership Liam Scales Auston Trusty
Appearances 26 22
Clean sheets 14 10
Tackles + interceptions per game 1.9 2.3
Dribbled past per game 0.2x 0.5x
Error led to shot 1 4
Error led to goal 0 1
Duel success rate 72% 64%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the American defender made five times as many errors that led to shots or goals for the opposition, whilst winning a lower percentage of his physical duels.
Trusty, who was criticised by Kris Boyd for his part in the Kevin Nisbet goal in the video below, has yet to prove that he can be a reliable presence in defence for Celtic, which may be why Scales continues to start.
Simpson-Pusey's lack of involvement since his move on loan from Manchester City, and the fact that he is only at the club until next summer, does not suggest that he is likely to be the long-term replacement for Scales.
However, Rodgers has another young centre-back in his squad who could emerge as the long-term successor to Scales next to Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Dane Murray battled back from injury issues to make his comeback on loan at Partick Thistle last season, and was brought back by Rodgers in January to be part of the first-team squad at Celtic.
Why Dane Murray could replace Liam Scales
The 22-year-old star, who reportedly earns £1.4k-per-week, has been ahead of Simpson-Pusey in the pecking order so far this season, with appearances against Falkirk, Livingston, and Kairat.
Murray, who scored his first senior goal for the club in the League Cup win over Falkirk, has shown great promise in his three outings for the first-team in the opening month of the campaign.
The towering defender was rewarded with a new contract halfway through last month, taking his deal through to 2028, and Rodgers heaped praise on him in the official announcement, saying: "Dane is a young player I have really enjoyed working with and is someone who has really developed well across the past few seasons.
"I know there is so much more to come from him and I believe he can have a really successful future with us."
Celtic youngster Dane Murray
At the age of 22, he still has plenty of time left to develop in the way that Rodgers wants him to, and to break through and establish himself as a regular in the starting XI to realise that 'successful future'.
Dane Murray (25/26) Vs Livingston Vs Kairat
Minutes 90 45
Goals conceded 0 0
Clearances 7 2
Interceptions 1 0
Tackles 3 1
Dribbled past 0x 0x
Duels won 8/13 2/2
Pass accuracy 89% 98%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Murray impressed against Livingston in the Premiership and Kairat in the Champions League from a defensive perspective, as he was dominant in duels and made numerous important defensive actions.
Celtic did not concede a single goal in those two games, with the Scottish titan's defensive quality playing a significant part in that, and these performances show that he is ready to contribute at first-team level for the Hoops.
celtic-brendan-rodgers
With question marks from supporters over Scales, Trusty's disappointing performances last season, and Simpson-Pusey's lack of involvement this term, there could be an opening for Murray to burst into the team.
Whilst Rodgers prefers to have naturally left-footed players play on the left side, right-footed Carl Starfelt started in that role in Ange Postecoglou's treble-winning season and the manager has used centre-backs on their 'weaker' side in the past two campaigns.
Therefore, Celtic may already have their long-term replacement for Scales in the building, if Murray can push on and prove himself to be a consistent performr in the senior side.