Liam Scales on the moment that has inspired him to try and win the double at Celtic

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Celtic defender Liam Scales has come a long way this season as his side bid to win a league and cup double under Brendan Rodgers.

Last summer, there were strong rumours that the Republic of Ireland international could head to Aberdeen on a permanent deal after enjoying a productive loan spell at Pittodrie in 2022/23.

Nevertheless, Scales remained at Parkhead, and an injury crisis in central defence afforded the 25-year-old an extended run in Rodgers’ side, where he has established himself as a first-choice beside Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Now, he has made 44 appearances in all competitions for the Bhoys this term, registering one goal and three assists in the process [Transfermarkt].

Of course, Scales has been at Celtic since 2021; however, this is his first full season as a starting centre-half rather than the squad player who occasionally featured under Ange Postecoglou.

Rewarded with a new four-year contract at the start of the month, the former Shamrock Rovers man has now been discussing his motivation to claim a domestic double before the season concludes after receiving his Scottish Premiership medal last weekend.

Liam Scales looks ahead to the Scottish Cup final

Build-up is already underway as Celtic prepare to take on Rangers at Hampden in the Scottish Cup final, which is a competition Scales has mixed memories of from his time at Aberdeen.

Cited via The Daily Record, the Irishman has harked back to the Dons’ shock defeat at Darvel in the fourth round of the tournament last year as part of his motivation to help the Bhoys secure silverware this weekend.

He stated: “That would be as far away from that night in Darvel as you can get! That’s the plan. We’re fully focused on that now. Our celebrations at the weekend weren’t as big as they were the other night. We’re totally focused, as everyone here wants the Double and we’re striving to achieve that.”

“Of course. There have been times this season when the performances haven’t been as good as they should have been. I always thought that, ‘Well, I was at that point 18 months ago with Aberdeen and I managed to get back to this stage.

“So it was just a low point and you have to bounce back and I have used that to get through tough times this season as well. We got knocked out of the Cup by Darvel and had back-to-back heavy league defeats in the space of a week. So to go from being that low to this high is massive. I suppose that experience up there has also helped me get to where I am now.”

Liam Scales has fought for his place at Celtic

Scales hasn’t forged his Celtic career easily, becoming the season’s surprise package for many people amid his fairly rapid rise to prominence.

Per Fotmob, the Dublin-born man has made 209 recoveries, won 273 duels and came out on top 209 times in aerial battles on league duty, cementing his place on the left-hand side of Rodgers’ defence.

Whether he retains his place next term is a conversation for the summer; however, he deserves credit for managing to force his way into first-team plans at Parkhead.