LIAM SCALES has a 100 per cent success rate since taking over as skipper from the injured Callum McGregor.
The Republic of Ireland international led out Celtic for the first time at Ibrox for the Scottish Cup quarter-final eight days ago.
Following a dramatic penalty-kick shoot-out at the conclusion of a scoreless extra-time stalemate, Scales and his team-mates went into the draw 24 hours later that paired them with St Mirren at Hampden on Sunday, April 19.
And the 27-year-old 13 times-capped defender enjoyed playing his part in the champions’ 3-1 triumph over Motherwell at Parkhead at the weekend with Yang Hyun-jun (2) and Tomas Cvancara (pen) getting the goals that mattered.
FOLLOW THE LEADER…Liam Scales captains Celtic for the first time as he ushers the team out at Ibrox for the Scottish Cup-tie. Viljami Sinisalo and Julian Araujo follow the Republic of Ireland international defender.
The Hoops had to display their true grit qualities after the visitors had taken the lead through Elijah Just.
Reflecting on the win that moved the Hoops two points closer to Hearts with eight games to go, Scales said: “It was massive.
“Motherwell are a really good side and they’ve played really good football this season.
“It was a big win. We need to win all the rest of our games, so it was a good one.
“I felt we were unlucky with the goal we conceded and we didn’t give them any other big chances.”
Scales, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “It was disciplined defensively. At times you have be against a team that’s good on the ball and I thought we were good without it.
“Then our attacking players were brilliant.
“We have a week to recover now which is unusual, so we’ll be right for next week.”
Martin O’Neill’s side face Dundee United in the 12.30pm kick-off at Tannadice on Sunday – a day after Hearts play Dundee at Tynecastle.
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