Liam Scales picks between Celtic winning Champions League or Ireland winning World Cup

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Liam Scales has become a regular player for Celtic and the Republic of Ireland over the last two seasons.

Brendan Rodgers’ return to Celtic during the summer of 2023 did Scales’ career the world of good because that’s when it took off.

Before that, the 26-year-old was out on loan at Aberdeen, and he was yet to make a senior appearance for his country.

But Scales’ breakthrough campaign came in 2023/24, and now he features regularly for both club and country, as a huge 2025/26 awaits the hard-hitting defender.

Celtic are out to prove why they are still the top dogs in Scotland, whilst the Republic of Ireland, now managed by Heimir Hallgrímsson, are aiming to reach the 2026 World Cup.

• READ MORE: Celtic told trophy-laden star could ‘easily’ play centre-back ahead of Liam Scales and Auston Trusty

Liam Scales on Celtic winning the Champions League or Republic of Ireland winning the World Cup

Scales is yet to play at a major tournament, and he has every chance to achieve that if he can help Ireland reach world football’s biggest stage.

The United States of America, Mexico and Canada will all co-host the 2026 World Cup, where a record-breaking 48 nations will feature.

Speaking to Jack’s Tee Time Talks, Scales was asked about what he would prefer, winning the World Cup with Ireland or lifting Europe’s major crown with Celtic.

Scales is asked: ‘Champions League with Celtic or a World Cup with Ireland?’

Scales responded: “To win it? World Cup. Yeah, I don’t even know why I hesitated. World Cup.”

Will Scales be replaced at Celtic?

Given that the 2025/26 campaign is going to be huge for every player, because of the World Cup at the end of it, the last thing you need is to be sitting on the bench or sidelined.

Last season, whilst Scales played 39 matches in all competitions, including six Champions League games, he couldn’t cement his place in the XI.

Auston Trusty also struggled, and now there are suggestions that Celtic could bring in another centre-back this summer.

J-League defender Hayato Inamura has been linked to Celtic, and if that move happens, then it puts Scales under pressure at the wrong time.