JIM GOODWIN is hoping Celtic give the green light to Liam Scales to continue his loan at Aberdeen after the turn of the year.
The versatile Republic of Ireland international defender agreed a temporary switch to Pittodrie in June, but the champions have a recall option in the deal which can be triggered when the January window opens.
Goodwin revealed the Dons’ director of football Stephen Gunn had been in contact with the champions regarding Scales who scored two goals in eight starts during his 13 appearances for the Hoops following his £600,000 move from Shamrock Rovers in August last year.
FLASHBACK…Liam Scales celebrates one of his two goals for Celtic as he seals a 3-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice in December last year. The grounded keeper is Benji Siegrist, who is now at the Hoops, of course.
The manager admitted he is confident the player “will be part of our plans when the January window closes, but we do have contingency plans in place just in case something were to happen.”
The Hoops have suffered injuries to centre-backs Carl Starfelt, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Stephen Welsh in recent months, but Goodwin believes Ange Postecoglou has enough resources in his squad to take care of enforced omissions.
The north-east gaffer insisted Scales, who can play in the middle or wide left in a back four, will benefit from getting regular first-team football at Pittodrie.
Goodwin, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “If Celtic were to get a load of injuries over the next month or two, they might think they need that defensive cover, but Celtic have been great in terms of making that deal happen.
“If they do decide they want to take Liam back, which I don’t think they will as they have enough cover, I am sure they would give us enough notice.”
DON OF A NEW ERA…Liam Scales is all smiles after agreeing a season-long loan at Aberdeen in June.
Scales was an unused substitute in the Republic of Ireland’s 2-1 loss in the friendly against Norway in Dublin last night.
The 24-year-old utility star has been capped in the under-age groups for his country, but is still awaiting the breakthrough into Stephen Kenny’s senior team.
Goodwin insisted it was only a matter of time until Scales gets the nod and added: “Liam has been outstanding and I am over the moon for him because I know how much representing Ireland means to him.”
Ironically, Scales will be missing when the Dons restart the Premiership on Saturday December 17 after the World Cup break.
Celtic are due at Pittodrie for the 12.30pm kick-off and a clause in the loan arrangement prevents the defender from playing against his parent club.
