LIAM SCALES believes Celtic’s Scottish Cup conquerors Aberdeen played a major role in his Hoops breakthrough.
The Republic if Ireland international defender played every minute of the agonising Hampden encounter with the Dons scuppering Brendan Rodgers’ side’s hopes of a sixth treble in nine years in the penalty-kick shoot-out.
It was a massively disappointing way to bring down an otherwise fine season with the champions sealing their fourth successive a month beforehand.
Scales was also celebrating at the national stadium in mid-December when it was Celtic’s turn to claim silverware from a spot-kick decider when they overcame Ibrox opposition in the Premier Sports League Cup Final.
LIFT-OFF…Liam Scales is at the centre of the Celtic celebrations after the Premier Sports League Cup Final penalty-kick shoot-out success against Rangers.
Reflecting on the campaign, the 26-year-old centre-back said: “The Cup Final will sting, but this season has been successful overall.
“Everyone at the club has had to work incredibly hard to get to where they are – and I’m no different.
“I probably wasn’t ready to come straight in and play when I first moved over here, it took me time.”
Ange Postecoglou allowed Scales, who had been playing left-back, to move to Pittodrie for a season-long loan. The former Shamrock Rovers star had arrived in the summer of 2021, but had been used sparingly.
He made 39 appearances for the Dons, mainly at the centre of the rearguard, and the player acknowledged that term as being pivotal in his progress at Parkhead.
Scales, speaking to The Herald Ireland, added: “I probably needed that time at Aberdeen to bridge the gap and give me experience of Scottish football. That was brilliant.
CELTIC ROCKS…Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales at the heart of the Hoops rearguard.
“Coming back to Celtic then, I got a little bit of luck, there were a few injuries. I probably didn’t see myself in the picture as much as I actually ended up being in it.
“I got the chance to play and start in my preferred position. I saw it as a free hit, in that if I don’t play well, nothing is going to change because I was probably leaving [on loan]anyway.
“But if I do well, I have a chance to stake my claim.
“I have enjoyed every bit of it.”
Scales, who has won three titles, two League Cups and one Scottish Cup and still has three years to run in his current contract to run, can expect fierce competition for his place in the new campaign.
Auston Trusty, who cost £6million when he arrived from Sheffield United on August deadline day, took over the spot alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers for a spell during the season.
However, Scales fought back to hold down the position in the run-in to the crusade.
And it all starts again in August!
