Liam Scales

Yep, we need a proper 2nd choice (or two of them, preferably)

 

Yep. Stick piling mediocre players had been something we've specialised in for years.

 

I dont mind signing projects as long as there is a loan strategy for it and a path to the first team. It just feels hit and hope at this point.

The summer needs several first-team ready players, however.

 

The fact that last summer was an unmitigated disaster IMHO of a transfer window and that we did next to nothing in January means there needs to be significant work done on the team this summer. We need a new GK, left back, center back a six and a striker and then you might need more depending on does O'Riley leave etc. We also need to free up some money for quality and stop stock piling project players by if at all possible having a major clear out at the same time.

 

Celtic are in talks with defender Liam Scales over a new contract at the club, sources have told Football Insider.

The 25-year-old’s current deal is set to expire in June 2025 after he joined from Shamrock Rovers in 2021.

Negotiations are well underway but it is believed a full agreement is not close at this stage



Scales has been a key component of Brendan Rodgers’ side in the 2023-24 campaign despite the summer arrival of Maik Nawrocki.

The Republic of Ireland international has started 27 Scottish Premiership games in 36 total appearances so far this term, notching one goal and three assists.

He is currently out of action with a training injury and missed the 3-1 victory over St Johnstone on 16 March – allowing Stephen Welsh to come back into the side.


Despite the club opening contract talks with Scales, not everyone has been pleased with his performances under Rodgers.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider last month (23 February), former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie blasted the defender’s “dreadful” performances and insisted Nawrocki should replace him in the side.



The 25-year-old is playing his first season of regular first-team football for the Glasgow giants after spending last term on loan at Aberdeen.

Scales, who cost a reported £500,000 in 2021, has now racked up 59 appearances in Scotland’s top flight after gaining significant senior experience in the League of Ireland.

 

We are as well chucking it if the plan is for him to be first choice next season, seriously.

The consensus seems to be within the media he’s had a great season but hes been brutal since about November. Makes the odd last ditch block that usually comes from his own defending not being clean enough.

Gives big Shane Duffy a run for his money for not being able to defend a straight ball over his head, gets done by it two or three times a game and it’s as basic as it gets.

Not often I’d be happy to hear of a contract offer being rejected..

 

I'd be happy to let him go for nothing. Taylor gets a rough ride and rightly so at times, but Scales is comfortably the worst player in our team. He gives the ball away * constantly and when he does actually make a pass, 9 times out of 10 it's behind his teammate and it just invites pressure.

He's * pish.

 

Was poor today as well, aye..

As much as he's been good, and Taylor overall......it's comfortably where we're weakest and easiest to get at..

Was too cumbersome on the ball again..

 

Since November is absolutely a load of *, his form dipped a couple games after the winter break, * just need to look at his game against the Huns at Parkhead where he was * brilliant, 2nd only to Calmac. Him and Taylor held us together the last 15 minutes when we were under pressure.

But that full game he was * excellent. If anyone still has his stats that were being shared everywhere after that game share them eh? Had a look and couldn’t find it in here. His aerial duels in particular was unreal domination from him. Again with two different CB’s he’s barely played with.

He’s held us together more than any at the back, remarkably so, and stood up to be one of the better players in the Champions League as well. All the while having no consistent defence around him.

CCV next to him the rest of the year I think we’ll see a swift upturn of form again, and if not, he’s shown more than enough that he can be trusted to step in as a squad player. Much like Ralston for me. But from what he’s done this year, I think he has that level in him just because how much he maintained it with chaos around him, stood up and was the leader and the man to be trusted when even Hart with all his experience couldn’t adapt.

Every centre back we’ve had that’s been next to CCV has automatically went up a level just with his presence and leadership there next to them, * Kobayashi looked decent for two games or so next to him. Scales with him there, and finally getting a run of players around him that are the same guys for 6/7/8 games we’ll see a bit more from if it’s a purple patch or his level.

 

The last time Liam Scales stepped out at Ibrox, it was the making of him as a Celtic player. This time, it could be the making of Celtic’s season.

Scales had only played once as a starting centre back for Celtic when he was thrown into September’s visit to the other side of Glasgow alongside fellow Old Firm rookie Gustaf Lagerbielke, and they came out the other side with a 1-0 victory


Since then, it has been Scales, against all expectations, who has gone on to nail down his place as a starter in Brendan Rodgers’ side, and it is he who is widely expected – and trusted – to partner Cameron Carter-Vickers on Sunday to face Rangers once more.

A lot has changed for Scales as an individual since that day back in the early autumn, and Celtic too will go into their second visit to Ibrox this season in a much stronger place, with the injuries that have dogged their season ever since then finally starting to clear up.


They will of course be entering the Bear pit without any of their own supporters, but having done so once before and emerged not only with the three points, but with a Celtic future, Scales is confident he can help his team to another favourable outcome this time around.


“It played a big part in how my season has gone, I think,” Scales said.

“It was a big challenge early on for me. As far as playing centre half for Celtic was concerned, I think it was only my second time after St Johnstone the previous week. It was massive for me to kick on. I have good memories of it.

“When you go out there and the game starts, it’s mental the intensity of it. To get through all of that with a clean sheet and a win, it’s a big achievement and it feels brilliant. But at the same time, it’s nothing more than three points, so you have to look at it that way as well and that’s how we’ll approach it now.

“I think at the time I was going with the mindset that I didn’t have much to lose. An opportunity was in front of me that I didn’t think I would have. I was like ‘right – I have this now – just go and do my thing’ and take the opportunity. That’s what happened.

“We were conscious a little bit of the outside noise because it is everywhere in the week leading up to the game. It didn’t really affect us in the sense that we still had belief that we could go and perform well, keep a clean sheet and beat them there.

“It wasn’t a massive factor for us, but obviously it helped having the confidence of the manager to go and do that.”

Having handled the intensity of both the atmosphere and the frenetic pace of the match back then, Scales feels more at ease heading to Ibrox this time around on a personal level, and hopes his performance will reflect that.

“I think the man difference is that I’ve experienced it now,” he said.

“I’m not going in there unaware of what it’s like. I know what’s coming. But my approach to the game hasn’t changed at all since then. That will remain the same.

“Before the game, the atmosphere is loud and intimidating. You just have to accept it and get on with it.

“Before the game, it’s harder to block it out, but when you are playing all of that goes out of the window because all you are focused on is what’s going on on the pitch.

“Before the game is a good time just take it in to prepare for what’s coming. Once the first whistle goes, that naturally all goes out of the window.”

It was the aftermath of the game at Ibrox in September that was to prove an even more novel experience for Scales, with no Celtic supporters to share his relief and joy with at having secured such a monumental victory.



It was strange, but we sort of just got off the pitch and then we sort of had our moment in the dressing room together,” he said.

“We were all buzzing really, but it was strange, and it was strange when we scored the goal and the whole place went dead quiet because there were no away fans.

“But that’s the way it is at the moment, and we are prepared for that

 

@Henrik 07 forgot that was his second start, he had a good pre-season and looked like he could kick on then was close to leaving, his first start was a * shocker and was terrifying prospect for him going into Ibrox. He was * excellent, then kept that up in the CL and the next game against them as well.

The games that everybody was waiting to see him found out in, it was well aye he’s doing well the now but wait till he’s up against… honestly I know he’s dropped off a bit but think what he’s actually done this season for us is so under appreciated and * mental. It’s been him, Hart and then a myriad of different guys RB, LB, other CB. I’ve never seen as many CB substitutions during a game this season, never mind who’s starting game by game.

 

No fear with him. Seems to rise to the big occasions

 

Passing was horrible.

 

No harm to him but surely to christ he’s not going to be a starter for us next season.

 

Was ghastly today, so much sloppy play for him.

 

Shocker today, CCV bailed him so many times

 

He was awful, even during the first half.

 

He was * that second half

 

Just the second? He’s been rotten for ages