LIAM SCALES celebrates his 26th birthday today safe in the knowledge Brendan Rodgers acknowledges he is a key first-team player at Celtic.
The Republic of Ireland international became a mainstay in the middle of the champions’ rearguard alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers as the Hoops completed the league and Cup double last season.
Scales signed a bumper four-year deal in May to pledge his future to the Parkhead club.
The Dubliner, as CQN reported, said: “I have really enjoyed working under the gaffer and with such a great group of players this year. I look forward to doing so again in the coming seasons.
IMPRESSED…Matt O’Riley congratulates Liam Scales after the defender’s goal in the 4-0 win over Kilmarnock at Parkhead on Flag Day.
“I love being part of this great club and I want to do all I can to contribute to Celtic and bring our fans as much success as we can.”
Scales was as good as his word as he played his part in the club sealing their third successive title with the 5-0 romp against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on May 15.
Ten days later, he lined up alongside Carter-Vickers to help keeper Joe Hart keep a clean sheet in his farewell appearance in the 1-0 Scottish Cup Final win over Philippe Clement’s Ibrox outfit.
On Sunday, the defender got off to the perfect start to the new Premiership campaign when he glanced in a header in the 4-0 triumph over Derek McInnes’ Ayrshire side on Flag Day in the east end of Glasgow.
His first-half effort equalled his goal record for last season when his solitary strike came in a 2-0 win over doomed Livingston on December 23 at the same venue.
WHEN IRISH EYES ARE SMILING…Liam Scales has the backing of the Celtic support.
This time last year, Scales’ career had reached the crossroads. The versatile back-four operator, who joined the Hoops in a £600,000 move from Shamrock Rovers in August 2021, admitted he was in the dark about his immediate future at the treble winners.
He had spent all of the previous term on loan at Aberdeen and, shortly after the return of Rodgers to succeed Ange Postecoglou, the Irishman revealed: “I don’t know what’s ahead of me.
“I just want to do as well as I can and make as good of an impression as I can.”
Clearly, he achieved his objective. Despite the club spending £7.3million in bringing in centre-back Maik Nawrocki, from Legia Warsaw, and Gustaf Lagerbielke, from Elfsborg, it was Scales who became the pivotal figure in the back four.
Scales made 45 appearances in all competitions to cement his place alongside US international Carter-Vickers.
All at CQN and Celtic supporters everywhere wish Liam a very Hoopy Birthday!
