Liam Scales is reported to be a transfer target for Aberdeen.
The defender moved to Celtic from Shamrock Rovers two years ago but enjoyed his most productive time in Scotland on loan at the Dons last season.
With Maik Nawrocki close to completing a move to Celtic from Legia Warsaw it looks unlikely that Scales or Bosun Lawal will see much first team football in the season ahead.
It was reported that Scales had signed a four year Celtic contract but the final year is often an option for the club, turning 25 next month the hoops may be looking at a permanent move rather than a repeat of last season’s loan move.
The Daily Record reports:
Aberdeen boss Barry Robson is keen to re-sign Liam Scales from Celtic.
The Celtic defender had a successful loan in the Granite City and was a big player for Robson’s side as they clinched third spot and guaranteed European group stage football. The Irishman has since gone back to the Hoops and has played his part on their pre-season tour of Japan.
Robson, who watched his side lose at Preston at the weekend, is looking to bring in defensive reinforcements with the news that Rhys Williams and Angus MacDonald could both miss the start of the season through injury.
Serbian defender Slobodan Rubezic is a player that the Dons are working on but still need to finalise a deal for the Novi Pazar star and get a work visa issued. Scales also remains a key target for Robson but has to wait for his Celtic counterpart Brendan Rodgers to assess his own squad first.
The 24-year-old played against Gamba Osaka at the weekend and has trained
under Rodgers ’ watchful eye. Scales didn’t really get a fair crack under Ange Postecoglou and it remains to be seen if that will change under his successor.
Scales played the second half of Saturday’s 1-0 win over Gamba Osaka but with UEFA requirements for home developed players faces a tough task to make it into the Celtic squad for the Champions League. Rodgers can only name 17 players outwith the home developed players plus SFA trained such as David Turnbull and Greg Taylor.
Aberdeen have guaranteed group stage European football on offer with a Europa League Play-Off at the end of August.
With Celtic visiting Pittodrie on August 13 there is unlikely to be a quick conclusion to talks between the two clubs.
This ongoing debate about strengthening, [or weakening], the Celtic and sevco squads
to try and improve on last season, has prompted one left field question.
What EXACTLY has been done during this summer break to improve the performance of
Category 1 referees for the upcoming season…?
With all the discontent – again – last season with the refs and now VAR ‘inconsistencies’,
the SFA CEO Maxwell did mutter something about ‘having a phone call’ with CEO’s
– if it they felt is was needed.
[How a conference call is going to sort anything out just sums him up. 🙁 ]
Have our ‘top’ referees been getting extra tuition, and reviewing last season’s mistakes
on the pitch and with VAR decisions?
Has the camera / line technology been totally sorted?
What has been done to speed up the infuriatingly slow VAR reviews?
What ASSSURANCES can the SFA give to ALL Scottish club supporters, that it has done
everything possible to improve the level of match officiating this season?
…b*gger all?
I’d be sorry to see Scales go…I think he’s a more than decent player….without the bombscares…I’d keep him.
I think there’s a player in Scales.
He had no chance under Ange but with some good coaching & game time I feel we’d see an improvement.
His performance against Osaka was good as was Bosun Lawals. Both looked good, but Scales has something about him imo. I’d say to keep him & see how he performs under BR coaching.
HH?