Brendan Rodgers insists Liam Scales is "the surprise of his coaching career" after the Irishman's performance against Kilmarnock

The Scottish champions defeated Derek McInnes' men 3-1 at Parkhead thanks to goals from Reo Hatate, Luis Palma and Greg Taylor.

And Rodgers was happy with the performance overall. Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, he said: "I thought the players were excellent and I think the scoreline didn't show the quality we had but I am really pleased because we are very creative.

"I think the block of games have been tough but we have come through them very well. We had two Champions Leagues where we competed but did not quite get the results we wanted so it was a case of regrouping because they have that competitive spirit."

Scales is a player who has thrived under Rodgers, playing eight times for Celtic so far this season and the 50-year-old feels he is going from strength to strength. 

"[Scales] He was outstanding and I am so happy for him. He is probably one of the biggest surprises for me in my career as a coach and only because I had not seen him play so much and there were other players ahead of him.

"Through one leaving and one being injured, I have seen enough in training to give him an opportunity.

"You ideally want a left-sided centre-back in your team who has good pace and intelligence and he has all of that.

"You can see in his performances that he has really grown as a player and I am so happy for him because there is a big focus on the Irish players when they come here but he has been outstanding."