LIAM SCALES reckons leaving Celtic for a season-long loan at Aberdeen “will be the best thing” as he searches for game-time.
The 23-year-old versatile defender, who can play left-back or centre-half, joined the Hoops in a £500,000 switch from Shamrock Rovers in August last year.
However, Scales made just eight starts in 22 appearances for the Parkhead while scoring two goals – ironically one of them against Dundee United keeper Ben Siegrist who arrived at the club on a four-year contract at the same time the youngster was heading for Pittodrie.
The attack-minded defender is delighted to be teaming up with fellow-Irishman and Dons boss Jim Goodwin.
Scales is determined to make the breakthrough with the Republic of Ireland and he sees the temporary switch to the north east as ideal in his push for international recognition.
CELEBRATIONS…Liam Scales is about to be congratulated by Liel Abada after scoring Celtic’s third goal in their 3-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice in December. The beaten keeper is Benji Siegrist who has just joined the Hoops.
He said: “I have worked with Stephen Kenny before with the Irish Under-21s for two years. He has been in contact and to be in the Irish squad you have to be playing regular first-team football to have a chance to get in.
“So, I’m hoping this will help me and if I’m on form I’ll get in.
“I have been called in to squads and have been on standby, but I need to be playing regularly to really get my place in that team. It’s a goal of mine. I want to come to Aberdeen, play and win games to help us finish as high up the table as we can. And there are Cups we can go and win, too.
“It would be great to win something here, every year you gear up to win silverware
“You must be ambitious and I can’t wait to get going and help us try to win something.”
Scales played his last first-team game for Ange Postecoglou’s side in the 2-0 Euro loss to Bodo-Glimt in the Arctic Circle on February 24.
The player, speaking to the Scottish Sun, added: “Towards the end of last season the team was playing so well there were no opportunities to get in.
“I think this is going to be the best thing for me to come here and play some games.”
Coincidentally, as Scales prepares to take over the left-back slot at the Dons, his Hoops team-mate Adam Montgomery will be leaving the club to return to Parkhead.
The teenager made three league starts for the Hoops before his January loan switch to Pittodrie where he made eight appearances.
