THROUGHOUT the season - especially in the early stages - Celtic had to rely on various squad players to help keep pushing towards the title.

These players weren’t generally near the starting XI and some weren't even a part of most matchday squads by the time Ange Postecoglou got his hands on the Premiership trophy, but they still deserve credit for stepping up when required to do their part.

Here, we take a closer look at three 'bit-part' Celtic players who influenced the title-winning campaign...

Adam Montgomery

Montgomery, at the age of 19, was thrown into the deep end at Celtic at the start of the season.

Lack of squad depth and injuries to players such as Greg Taylor meant the young full-back got an extended run in the starting XI. In Europe, he would have some of the best nights of his career so far with his most impressive performance coming against AZ Alkmaar.

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Montgomery came on just before Celtic fell 2-1 behind, only holding a narrow one-goal lead on aggregate. From there, he won eight of nine defensive duels and completed seven interceptions as he helped Celtic hold on to qualify for the Europa League group stages.

The teenager went on to start in the group-stage wins at home to Ferencvaros and Copa Del Rey holders Real Betis while, domestically, his assist for the Jota winner at Pittodrie in the 2-1 October win has become symbolic as a turning point for the season given it was Postecgolou's first domestic away win.

READ MORE: What is Nir Bitton's Celtic legacy?

Liam Scales               

Celtic signed Scales for a small fee from League of Ireland side Shamrock Rovers in the summer.

A relatively tall player for a full-back, Scales initially showed signs of being a good option in possession. Although his Celtic career appears to be petering out at this stage, he was another whose small impacts had large repercussions for the season.

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His largest contribution would come up in the Highlands in the game now famous for Anthony Ralston’s 97th-minute winner. However, before that goal, Celtic took the lead through stand-in centre forward Liel Abada with Scales, in the inverted full-back role, drifted into the half space, getting played in behind before crossing for the Israeli to score the easiest goal of his career.

The Irishman also picked up his maiden league goal with a stunning strike in a 3-0 win against Dundee United as well as some notable contributions in the early stages of the Scottish Cup.

Albian Ajeti

The Swiss international striker hasn’t had the best of times since his big-money move to Celtic and hasn’t done much better in a rejuvenated Postecoglou side.

However, at the start of the season after Kyogo’s injury, Ajeti briefly found himself as the first-choice striker at the club. He would only score in one league game this season and that was his double in a 3-0 win over Ross County back in September.

That day, Celtic had struggled to break down a stubborn Staggies defence and had to wait for a deflected long-range strike from Cameron Carter-Vickers to break the deadlock. After this, Ajeti made sure of the result with two close-range headed finishes.

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Takeaways

With Ajeti and likely Scales getting moved on due to limited game-time it’s worth remembering the part they played, no matter how small. Montgomery could well be in line for another loan move - after spending the second half of the season at Aberdeen - as he looks to continue his development until at a level where he can properly challenge for a place in the starting XI.

Celtic may have relied largely on a core group of players to get over the line and win the title but the contributions of the 'bit-part' few still very much mattered in the overall landscape of the triumph.