Republic of Ireland and Celtic defender Liam Scales spoke to the media yesterday afternoon at FAI HQ in Abbotstown. The 25-year-old was asked about his emergence as a regular at Celtic Park this season, how he almost returned to Aberdeen, how he’s found it in the international set-up and his thoughts on Stephen Kenny…
“Playing for Celtic is massive. For me and my family, they are all so proud and I’m proud of myself.
“Being Irish, there is a connection there, a big fan base in Ireland. For me to be sort of representing the Irish at Celtic, it’s great. I’m trying to enjoy every minute of it because who knows how long it will last.” – Liam Scales at the Republic of Ireland media conference yesterday.
On the summer talk of him returning to Aberdeen in a permanent transfer from Celtic, that was as Scales admits, close to happening.
“I suppose at the start of the year I think I came back into pre-season with Celtic and most people thought I was going to go back to Aberdeen. It was sort of in the pipeline, there was talk of it happening.
“Then obviously a few injuries happened. I think I’ve surprised in the sense that maybe I wasn’t fully in the picture, then a few injuries happened and I was thrown straight in and did well, and I’ve held my place now.
“I spoke to them at the end of my loan and they were keen to have me back for a year or 18 months and move me on, and I loved Aberdeen, Aberdeen is a brilliant football club. I was really looking forward to trying to get back there and do that, but it has worked out better for me now and I’m happy that it has,” the Celtic defender said.
And that chance for Aberdeen to bring in Scales is now dead in the water with Brendan Rodgers authorising a new Celtic deal for his fellow Irishman who is now very much part of the first team set-up at Celtic and currently holds the jersey, looking hard to dislodge too.
Liam Scales well worthy of new deal
Brendan Rodgers has spoken about his desire to see Liam Scales get handed a new contract, as previously reported by Lubo98 on The Celtic Star, and rightly so as the player has clearly shown he’s more than worthy of one. The way he’s fought for a place in the side when he seemed surplus to requirements is nothing short of admirable and that is worth a new deal alone.
You could say he’s now considered a first pick due to his displays and he looks like he’s been a regular for a while now. That’s testament to his character and his ability.
Critics will say it’s far too early to be handing him a new contract after what might be considered a ‘purple patch’ and that we have an abundance of centre backs when every one is fully fit. But if Liam continues this good form he will start to attract suiters and we want to make sure we’re in the driving seat when it comes to future transfer fees.
Liam has made that left sided centre back spot his own and it’s up to others to make a case for displacing him. That alone tells you he’s not only worthy of a first team place, but a new longer term deal.
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In January Brendan Rodgers is looking at trimming his first ten squad which the manager reckons is way too big. In the central defensive areas that is likely to mean Nat Phillips returning to Liverpool at the end of his loan spell without Celtic asking for a longer loan period or a permanent transfer and we’re also likely to see Japanese defender Yuki Kobayashi return to Japan, most likely on a loan deal, as it looks like his is not going to be in Brendan Rodgers’ plans.
Kobayashi, who has now been at Celtic for a year was an Ange Postecoglou signing and still has four years to run on his contract after arriving last November from J-League club Vissel Kobe.
Stephen Welsh, who was given a new contract earlier this season before getting injured on the same day, is now fully fit but unable to get anywhere near the team and could also benefit from a loan spell, and maybe Barry Robson would see the value in bringing him to Pittodrie after missing out on Liam Scales.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
In my opinion it would be daft to let Kobayashi return to Japan without giving him a chance in the left back position , he’s athletic tall naturally left footed and would do a far better job than bernabei in that position , we need a back up for Taylor and the answer could be right under our nose , not as first choice but give him the chance to show what he can do at least please before binning him , Hail hail .