Scales moves to Rovers
FORMER Arklow Town and UCD defender Liam Scales has completed a move to 2019 FAI Cup champions Shamrock Rovers, capping off a year that saw him enjoy call-ups to Stephen Kenny’s exciting under-21 Ireland national team.
Scales (21) makes the switch from UCD, with whom he has played since 2015; making 93 total appearances for the Students, including in their promotion to the Airtricity League Premier Division in 2018.
This all led to Scales gaining selection to Kenny’s Irish under-21 team, making his debut for the squad in their 1-0 defeat against Mexico at the Toulon Tournament this past summer, before going on to feature in their excellent start to Euro qualifying that sees them sit top of their group with 16 points from seven games.
The Barndarrig-native said that he was delighted to sign for Rovers now that his time with UCD had come to an end.
‘[Shamrock Rovers] are on the up and they’ve got a great crop of young players coming through. I was at the FAI Cup final and I seen how good that performance was and I just wanted to be part of something like that,’ he said.
‘I want to win silverware and be part of a team that wins trophies. The lads proved last year that they can do that.
The announcement brings to an end months of speculation concerning his future, with Scales and new Rovers team-mate Neil Farrugia both being linked with the Manchester City under-23s.
Rovers boss Stephen Bradley acknowledged the various clubs that were in for Scales, before saying that he was grateful that he opted to join up with the Hoops.
‘We’ve really liked Liam for quite some time,’ he said.
‘We spoke with him a few months back when he was with UCD but these things take time and he was looking at every option available to him. He’s had a lot of interest from outside the league and that’s been going on for quite some time so we’re delighted that he sees his future with us.’