Few could have predicted that a certain Liam Scales would become a vital player under Brendan Rodgers when the Northern Irishman returned to Celtic last summer.
The talented center back, who was signed in the summer of 2021 for a rumored amount of just £500k from Shamrock Rovers, made just 13 appearances in all competitions in his rookie season under Ange Postecoglou, mostly at left-back.
Because of his bit-part role, Scales was eventually transferred on loan to Aberdeen before the 2022–2023 season, which caused controversy among Dons supporters who were tired of the constant stream of Celtic stars who had temporarily joined the team.
To his credit, the “old-fashioned” defender—which then-manager Jim Goodwin referred to as such—went on to show his detractors wrong at Pittodrie, making 39 appearances across all competitions, including a spectacular long-range goal against Rangers.
After that successful season, there were talks of a return to Aberdeen, but Scales has since overcome the odds to become a regular starter in Rodgers’ first squad at Parkhead.
Liam Scales’ record at Celtic
In the summer of 2023, there was a lot of movement in the Glasgow center-back ranks. Carl Starfelt, a consistent starter, left for Celta Vigo, and Gustaf Lagerbielke and Maik Nawrocki, two young players, came from Elfsborg and Legia Warsaw, respectively. Late in the day, Nat Phillips was also signed by Liverpool on a loan.
With Cameron Carter-Vickers locked up as the first pick and Yuki Kobayashi and Stephen Welsh also under contract at the time, it didn’t seem like there was much of a path into the side for the returning Scales.
Despite injury setbacks throughout the beginning of 2023–24, the Ireland international was named in the starting lineup for the goalless draw against St Johnstone. To be honest, he hasn’t turned back since.
While players like Lagerbielke, Kobayashi, and Phillips have left the team—and Nawrocki, who has played only once this season, is likewise somewhat of a forgotten man—Scales has outperformed them all, securing a spot at the center of the defense with Carter-Vickers.
The 26-year-old, who was rewarded with a new four-year contract in May, has already played 68 games for the team on all fronts and contributed 10 goals during that period.
| Liam Scales’ 24/25 Premiership stats |
|---|
| 7 games (7 starts) |
| 1 goal |
| 0 assists |
| 131.9 touches* |
| 91% pass accuracy* |
| 6 clean sheets |
| 2.3 tackles & interceptions* |
| 4.1 balls recovered* |
| 77% total duels won* |
| 78% aerial duels* |
| 7.77 avg. match rating |
| Stats via Sofascore (*per game) |
Although the warrior from Dublin has his limits, he’s fast emerging as one of Rodgers and company’s most important players. With another talent who is capturing people’s attention on loan, the hope will be that the Hoops can duplicate that success.
Celtic can repeat Scales success
Although Scales’ ascent was partially due to chance, given the plethora of injuries at Parkhead at the time, the adaptable defender surely benefited from the opportunity to establish himself in the Premiership with the Dons.
Maybe Kwon Hyeok-kyu, a promising midfielder who spent time at St. Mirren in the second half of the previous season, can accomplish the same during his second brief stay away from Celtic at Hibernian.
The 23-year-old, who was signed from Busan IPark last summer, failed to establish himself in Rodgers’ starting lineup during the first half of 2023–24, which is why the Saints decided to give him a chance.
After signing with Easter Road, the Korean player—who Hibs manager David Gray has referred to as a “great athlete”—has started five straight league games and is starting to show off his skills.
Previously described by Stephen Robinson as a player who can bring “real composure on the ball,” he has amassed an 84% pass accuracy rate and one critical pass per game on average in the Premiership this season, according to Sofascore.
In addition to his defensive prowess, Kwon has averaged 2.2 tackles and interceptions per game in the Premiership this season. He has also won 69% of his aerial duels. Gray has observed that Kwon, along with former Sunderland player Nectarios Triantis, has “done really well” in the center of the park.
Although it’s early, Rodgers may want to give the towering asset a chance next season if he can continue to be a reliable player for the Edinburgh team. This is especially true given the lack of depth behind Callum McGregor in that defensive midfield position.
Kwon has cause for optimism in 2025 after seeing the triumph of Scales, an Irishman who was previously forgotten in Glasgow.
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