“We know it will be a tough game, it’s the opening game in the Group stages of the Europa league so we are looking forward to it,” the Celtic central defender told Gerry McCulloch. “You can see that the pitch looks good and looks like it will play well so we’re looking forward to the game.
“We’re disappointed that we’re not in the Champions League but for us now in this competition we want to do as well as we can in it, CCV said. “It’s always important to get off to a good start in every competition you are apart of so we’re ready to start and to put on a big performance.
“I think it’ll definitely be a tough game. They’re a good side with a lot of quality in the team, so we have to get to our level tomorrow to try and match them and then hopefully go on and win the game,” CCV added.
The United States international made it perfectly clear that the famous atmosphere in the Serbian capital tonight will not be a cause for concern for the Celtic players who are used to the special occasions at a packed Celtic Park, although the likes of Sebastian Tounekti, Kelechi Iheanacho Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Marcelo Saracchi have yet to experience Paradise in full voice.
“Our own stadium has a pretty good atmosphere there so we’re used to that as players. It will be a challenge for us but it’s one we look forward to as a team and it will be good to get out there,” Carter-Vickers noted.
On his own fitness and form CCV said: “I feel good, obviously we go into a little patch now where the games come think and fast so I’m ready and raring to go for that really.”
Scales found the net in Celtic’s 4-0 quarter-final victory over Partick Thistle in the Premier Sports League Cup on Sunday, extending his impressive form so far this season. Buoyed by the team’s growing confidence domestically, he feels their European pedigree after three consecutive seasons in the Champions League will be an asset in what is expected to be a tough test.
The Ireland defender is no stranger to hostile environments, having dealt with intense crowds for both club and country. He doesn’t see that as a concern for Celtic. Speaking via Daily Record, Scales said: “I’ve never played in Belgrade before but I’ve heard it’s a tough place to go and the atmosphere is quite good, so I’m looking forward to it. It’s always good to feel the atmosphere before a game.
“But once we start playing, that all goes out the window and we’re fully focused on what’s happening on the pitch. In terms of the best atmospheres, Probably Dortmund. Feyenoord was up there as well, that was loud. But Dortmund was intense and I do enjoy the noise.”
Scales added: “We were just away in Armenia with the national team and they have a lot of ultras. It’s not a massive stadium, but they were very, very loud as well. For me, once the ball’s in play, it doesn’t really matter whether there’s 70,000 or no one there. You’re so focused on what’s happening in the game. It’s all background noise.”
“But when you walk out and you feel the atmosphere, like we do at Celtic Park, it’s nice for the first couple of minutes and then the whistle goes. Experience is brilliant at helping you cope with those sorts of big games. You know you’ve been there before and you know you’re at the level and you can deal with that sort of atmosphere and that level of opposition.”
“It has helped being part of the games in the Champions League and sort of winning big ties in Europe. It’s definitely helped,” Scales said.
Conor Spence