Liam Scales, born on 8 August 1998 (age 27), is an Irish central defender who joined Celtic from Shamrock Rovers in August 2021. His final season in Ireland had already shown a bit of range to his game, with 2 goals in 23 league appearances for Rovers in 2021, before Celtic brought him across to Glasgow.
His early time at Celtic was not a straight line. A loan spell away from the club helped harden him up and gave him the run of senior football he needed, rather than leaving him as another squad option waiting for scraps. When his chance came again at Celtic, he took it with a steadiness that has become more valuable than flashy.
Scales remains a regular first-team presence in 2025-2026, wearing squad number 5 and playing primarily at centre-back. He has made 36 league appearances this season, with 54 appearances and 2 goals across all competitions, including goals in the League Cup and Europa League. His form has been solid and consistent, which is not the worst thing to say about a defender at Celtic.
He has also stayed involved with the Republic of Ireland, making three appearances in European World Cup qualifying this season. At Celtic, he has been part of a side that has won two Premiership titles, two League Cups and a Scottish Cup. His current market value is around £4.5m, according to Transfermarkt.
Scales’ career has moved from Shamrock Rovers to Celtic, with a necessary spell of development in between, and he is now an established part of the current squad. He is not a decorative player, but he has made himself useful in a side where usefulness has to be proven every week.
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