MAKE ME A CELT FOR LIFE
LIAM SCALES admits he faced an uncertain future at celtic on the back of his loan spell at Aberdeen last year.
But the defender now insists he’d love to be a celt for life after penning a new four-year deal at Parkhead.
Scales was tipped for a return to Pittodrie at the start of the season until a centre-back injury crisis thrust him into Brendan Rodgers’ side.
The Irish ace never looked back as he emerged as one of the key men of the campaign and was rewarded with a bumper contract extension until the summer of 2028.
Scales said: “It’s brilliant. It’s what I wanted. It’s a good move for everyone involved. I’m just delighted I can look into the future and see myself here because it’s where I wanted to be.
“I’ll continue to try and improve and perform at the highest level so I can do as much as I can to stay in this team and hopefully be successful and move forwards.
“I’d love to play here for the rest of my career if that’s possible but it’s taking it game by game and trying to improve as I go along.”
Scales has made 41 appearances for celts this season and secured a spot in PFA Scotland’s Team of the Year. The 25-year-old admitted he would never have predicted this year on the back of his Pittodrie spell.
He said: “No. At the time I was coming back off a loan and thinking I really enjoyed that spell because I was playing regularly.
“I was thinking that’s what I needed to do – play regularly, prove myself and climb the ladder.
“Obviously the ideal situation is what’s happened and I’ve ended up playing regularly here. I was thinking I’d maybe have to go elsewhere for regular football. It’s worked out as well as it could for me and I’m delighted.
“This is the first year I’ve had this level and intensity and I feel I can do more. So we’ll just have to continue to do as much right as I can to move in that direction.
“There’s a big turnover of players at the club most summers and if that’s the case I know I have to be on my toes and be ready to fight for that celtic jersey.
“That’s what keeps everyone in shape and on top of their game. They know there’s someone knocking at the door ready to take their place if you come off it.”