CELTIC are closing in on the signing of Shamrock Rovers centre-back Liam Scales - but the Premiership runners-up will not get the deal concluded before Thursday.

The Irish champions face Flora Talinn of Estonia on Thursday night in the play-off for the Europa Conference League, and manager Stephen Bradley is keen to keep a hold of his prized asset for the do-or-die qualifier.

However, Bradley has conceded that it is only a matter of time before Scales moves on - with the Hoops believed to be front and centre in the race for the 23-year-old defender's signature.

"I’m not sure where Liam's end is at but our stuff is tied up," he revealed.

Celtic Way:

"I’d imagine with the window closing at the end of the month, it’s getting there.

"If not after Tallinn, it will definitely be soon. We did things at our end. Liam has a decision to make and I’m pretty sure where his mind is.

"Liam will definitely travel and be with us on Thursday. We’re nearly getting there but he’ll definitely be there Thursday.

"He’ll definitely be involved in the first leg and hopefully second.

"It’s been really good. We spoke at length when the interest and bids came in.

"We’ve all spoken openly from the start. There’s his thinking and our thinking; both clubs have dealt with it really well.

"He’s been brilliant, been dealing with this background for a while and you wouldn’t think it looking at him. He’s played every minute."