Surprises in football are always worth celebrating and Celtic have found one in Liam Scales since his breakthrough last season.
The Republic of Ireland international has enjoyed a remarkable rise to prominence with the Bhoys and is in line to start against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park on Champions League matchday two.
Previously a peripheral figure under Ange Postecoglou, which led to a loan move to Aberdeen in 2022/23, it didn’t seem like a route to the first team was viable for the man in question at Celtic.
However, after his run of performances amid an injury crisis last term, Brendan Rodgers labelled Liam Scales one of the ‘biggest surprises’ of his managerial career. Now, the Wicklow-born man has made 66 appearances for the Bhoys across all competitions, claiming four domestic trophies along the way.
In context, the £500,000 fee Celtic paid for Scales when he joined from Shamrock Rovers will surely enter future conversations as one of the best modern-day bargain signings the Hoops have made if he keeps delivering when required.
Despite his slightly unconventional pathway to Celtic, one of the Irishman’s former managers has explained why the 26-year-old was always set to carve out a glittering career from humble beginnings.
Liam Scales’ rise at Celtic doesn’t shock his former manager
Kicking off his senior career at League of Ireland outfit University College Dublin, better known as UCD, Scales was managed by Collie O’Neill and made a century of appearances under the 48-year-old.
Speaking to The Irish Independent, his former boss explained why the Celtic defender was always a ‘special’ talent from a young age and destined for greater heights.
“I remember seeing him early on and I think the word we used was ‘Rolls Royce’”. He stood out. I had no issues throwing him into the first team straight away. You look at other lads I threw in too, Neil Farrugia, Georgie Kelly, Gary O’Neill, it’s usually in attacking areas where you’d throw lads in.
“The defensive side were the ones you’d worry most about, in case they made a mistake or were not up to the level, but I had no worries at all about throwing Liam in.
“He is one of those players where no matter what level you put him at, he has excelled. He was playing underage at UCD and became the best, he was on my senior team at UCD, he played and became the best. The more games he played and the better he got, I didn’t have to worry about him anymore.
“Then he went to Shamrock Rovers, got a good run of games and excelled again, he went to Scotland and Aberdeen [on loan] and excelled, so it’s no surprise to me that after a good run of games with Celtic he has just gotten better and better.”
Later, he added: “I saw an interview with Brendan Rodgers last year, where he said Liam has been one of the biggest surprises of his managerial career. That’s saying something when you see the players he has managed.
“I was over at Celtic for the Hearts game [this month] and met Liam with my son. He’s mad about him and has ‘Scales’ on the back of his jersey. I’d always keep in touch with him. It doesn’t surprise me because from that age you knew he had something special.”
Liam Scales’ biggest Celtic test against Borussia Dortmund
Celtic travel to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday, and you wouldn’t be too hard-pushed to label the clash Scales’ stiffest test across his Hoops career.
Not only will the Irishman need to keep out the likes of Serhou Guirassy and Donyell Malen, but he’ll have to do it without injured defensive partner Cameron Carter-Vickers, who has been ruled out for the tie at Signal Iduna Park.
Auston Trusty is the likeliest candidate to come in alongside Scales after the pair started in Celtic’s thumping 6-0 win at St Johnstone last weekend, keeping a clean sheet.
Nevertheless, the man in question has defied expectations to get to this level. He is capable of thriving under pressure no matter the circumstances.
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