Liam enjoying challenge of scaling the European heights with Celtic 

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE: Liam Scales during a Republic of Ireland press conference at the FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Celtic sensation Liam Scales can attest to the benefits of a classic injury crisis.

Conference League football – rather than the Champions League mothership – was on his menu in the summer until Brendan Rodgers was stung with losing a rump of defenders.

That applied the brakes on a permanent switch to loan club Aberdeen and somersaulted into being a regular for the Scottish champions.

Champions League nights against Atlético Madrid, Feyenoord and Lazio justified his first two Ireland caps being granted to the 25-year-old last month.

“Most people thought I was going to go back to Aberdeen,” said the Arklow native.

“It was sort of in the pipeline and there was talk of it happening. That was my thought process.

“I spoke to them at the end of my loan. They were keen to have me back for a year or 18 months and move me on.

“Aberdeen is a brilliant football club – they’re playing in the Conference League this year and I was happy to go back and play consistently at that level, try to win a Cup or finish third in the Scottish League and play in the Conference League.

“That would have done me for 12 or 18 months and then try to get a move. But it never happened for whatever reason, probably due to the injuries at Celtic.

“The way it has worked out was better for me now. I’m happy that it has.” 

Little wonder. His versatility as a left-sided centre-back has been relied upon by Rodgers in his first full season back at Parkhead. 

The arrival of Scales from Shamrock Rovers in 2021 for €600,000 on a four-year deal under Ange Postecoglou had stuttered along but he’s cherished by the fans for stepping in when needed.

Oscillating standards between levels is a challenge, evidenced by them matching a 6-0 defeat by Atlético Madrid last week with the scoreline of a win over Scales’ former Dons at the weekend.

“We saw the difference last week,” he said about the mauling in the Spanish capital.

“We went down to 10 men and Atlético controlled the game from then on. You could see the quality they had and it was tough. But it’s still a good experience playing in those games, playing against the best in the world, and I’m enjoying it.

“You feel more pressure playing in the league. Well, I do for Celtic. In the Champions League you know that these are top, top opposition and there is less pressure.

“But if you draw an SPL game, it’s a bad result. It’s weird in a way; you think you’d be more nervous for the big European nights, but in a way, the pressure is more on for league games because you consistently have to win. Dealing with that is a new experience.” 

Rodgers confirmed talks on an improved, longer Celtic contract are imminent.

“It’s something that I’m sure the club and his representative will look at,” he said.

“It doesn’t sit well with me when players are going down to the final stages of contracts. I think you only need to look at the fact that I’ve chosen him to play very consistently in games.

“There are also players back now fit that are pushing him but he’s still performing to a high level.

“As I said to him, it’s about consistency.”

For all the pride associated with Celtic strides, lining out for Ireland is superior to Scales.

The pressure is off heading into Saturday’s showdown against the Dutch and it might suit this laid-back scholar who matured from being handed the armband by 21 at his first club UCD.

“We haven’t qualified, have nothing to lose so we can just go to Amsterdam and try to express ourselves and try to win the game.

“Playing for Ireland was the one thing as a kid that I always wanted. You can say, ‘Oh, I’d love to play in the Premier League’ and stuff but the only thing to top wearing an Ireland jersey is reaching a major tournament.”