Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has explained why Marco Tilio, Maik Nawrocki and Kwon Hyeok-gyu were not included in the Hoops' Champions League squad.

All three men were signed during the summer transfer window but did not make up the 26 players selected to represent the Parkhead club at Europe's top table.

Rodgers opened up on the decision he faced when selecting his squad, including why the versatility of some players, such as Liam Scales, played into his thinking.

He said: "It was exactly that. Obviously you're looking at a number of things, you have eight associated home-trained players which leaves you 17.

"So you're then having to strategically look it at and the players that are going to come in and the players where you need cover.

"And then obviously you're weighing up injuries as well. How long are they going to be out for? And obviously, the likes of Maik will be out for a period of time.

"So those are the type of things you're looking at when you're picking the squad."

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Rodgers also confirmed that Liel Abada will be out of action for up to four months.

Celtic's fears over the Israeli's thigh injury have been realised after speculation this morning mounted over the length of time he would be on the sidelines for. 

Reports in his native country suggested that the 21-year-old could take five months to recover. 

And while it's not quite as bad as that, when speaking to the media, boss Rodgers has revealed that Abada is set to miss between three and four months.

Liel Abada will be out of action for up to four months, Brendan Rodgers has confirmed.

Celtic's fears over the Israeli's thigh injury have been realised after speculation this morning mounted over the length of time he would be on the sidelines for. 

Reports in his native country suggested that the 21-year-old could take five months to recover. 

And while it's not quite as bad as that, when speaking to the media, boss Rodgers has revealed that Abada is set to miss between three and four months.

He said: "He's gone to London today for a scan. We think it's going to be around three to four months.

"He picked it up at the end of training in a shooting exercise, so it's a real shame for us because he's done well over pre-season and as you can see, he's started a lot of the games since I've been here. 

"We're really disappointed, but it's a squad game for us so we'll have other players to come in.

"It was his thigh when they were shooting at the end of training. It looks like he's done his thigh muscle.

"He signed a new deal and seemed happy. Of course, I was looking forward to continuing his development because he still does have lots of areas that he can improve on. 

"It's a shame, it's a learning curve for him. He'll work hard, hopefully get back and we'll use him for the second part of the season."