Latest news with #LiamScales
The National
6 days ago
- Business
- The National
Celtic trialist draws 'attention' from Championship duo
The 16-year-old topped the under-20 Premiership Development League goalscoring charts last term, bagging 23 times in 32 matches. He also netted 21 goals in 25 under-18 appearances. Read more: Reid enjoyed trial periods at Celtic earlier this year, claims the Belfast News Letter, who says that he has 'caught the attention' of Preston North End and Wrexham, both of whom play their football in England's second tier. There is also said to be interest from Aberdeen. Celtic have seemed to have a keen eye for Irish talent in recent times. Liam Scales was signed for £500,000 from Shamrock Rovers, not long before Johnny Kenny swapped Sligo for Glasgow. The 21-year-old striker, who converted his spot-kick in his side's Scottish Cup final defeat to Aberdeen, netted on his maiden Celtic start, which came against the same opposition a week and a half prior. "He's come in and obviously been limited in his opportunities, but it's not stopped him," said Brendan Rodgers of the forward last month. "He's worked so hard every day and it was just about timing, really. It was about giving him the opportunity. "He took it with a fantastic goal. His movement was really good, so that gave him huge confidence. "I like him as a player. He obviously came into Celtic earlier, went away, got some experience. He's grown over the few months we've had him from January. He's got stronger. His movement's really good. "He's a natural goal scorer. From 25 yards in, he can get the goal like he did tonight, left foot, right foot. I'm so pleased for him. A young guy from Ireland, playing for Celtic and then scoring your first goal at Pittodrie. It was amazing for him."
Irish Independent
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Liam Scales interview: ‘I just always wanted to win. I don't know where it's come from, probably my parents'
Exclusive | 'I remember standing on Grange Castle golf course and just thinking, 'Wow', but I finished the round of golf!' – Wicklow native reveals how Celtic move happened as he looks to kick on with Ireland Today at 21:30 The media mixed zone in the aftermath of a cup final can be an unforgiving environment, to put it mildly. Deep in the bowels of Hampden Park, Liam Scales strolls in to speak to the press just minutes after his Celtic team watched Aberdeen lift their first Scottish Cup in 35 years at their expense, following a gruelling 120-minute battle and a nail-biting penalty shoot-out.
Scottish Sun
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘This is going on forever' – Celtic star opens up on pain of watching Aberdeen's Scottish Cup celebrations
AS the Scottish Cup was hoisted aloft and the Aberdeen heroes went wild, Celtic's stunned squad stayed rooted to the spot. There was no heading straight down the tunnel in disappointment or disgust. 5 A Celtic star has opened up on watching Aberdeen celebrate winning the Scottish Cup Credit: Alamy 5 Dons lifted the trophy in the Hampden stands then climbed down to continue celebrating on the pitch Credit: Alamy 5 Liam Scales congratulated Dons but insisted Celtic will use it as motivation Credit: Alamy Instead, Brendan Rodgers and the gutted group who had just missed out on a historic ninth Treble remained right where they were. As they soaked up the disappointment and skipper Callum McGregor wiped away the tears, they looked on as the Dons headed down the Hampden steps to do the celebrations all over again on a platform out on the pitch. By that stage most losing finalists would have been long gone. But it would be wrong to assume the Hoops stars were following a direct instruction from Rodgers. Beaten at Hampden for the first time under this manager there was an unspoken agreement that they shouldn't just pay respect to the winners — but witness something they never want to see again. Hoops stopper Liam Scales said: "That's just how it is, that's the way you're brought up. "Obviously if you lose a final you've got to have respect for the winning team. "Aberdeen won this one, fair and square. "There were no bad decisions, nothing really went against us to tip the game, they won it fair. "It wouldn't bother me if we had won and another team hadn't stayed out. Aberdeen end 35 years of hurt as they lift the Scottish Cup in Celtic penalty thriller "It's just the way we've all been brought up as a team at Celtic. "We've won a lot, if we don't win we still have to act respectfully and that was it. "Is it something we don't want to have to do again? Yes, 100%. "When you win you don't realise how long the wait is for the trophy lift. "Aberdeen spent time enjoying it with their fans. "You're standing out there thinking this is going on forever, and it's not a nice feeling. "We won't want to have that happen again, it will spur us on now." The Hoops' performance was far below the standards they have set all season. Jimmy Thelin's five-at-the-back formation, and achievement in reaching half-time just 1-0 down gave the Dons the platform to make an impact after the break. The fact both teams scored own goals summed up the quality on show, but there was drama in the second half, through extra-time and into those nerve-shredding penalties. Some might point to the fact it was the 57th game of a long season for Celts. After heading into the clash as overwhelming favourites, perhaps it was one game too far for them, but not in Scales' eyes. 5 The Irishman, given the nod in central defence ahead of Auston Trusty, added: "Come the end of the game I felt we were in better shape than Aberdeen in the sense they had a lot of men down with cramp. "They made subs earlier and we had fresher legs. "I don't think it was one game too far, I just think on the day we didn't create as many chances as we have been doing. "There was a bit of luck in either box. "It's just gone their way. "It's a fair result in a way but it's very disappointing. "I feel maybe the occasion stiffened us up a little bit in the first half. "We're used to playing against back fives a lot, especially in the league, so I don't think it's an excuse. "We know how to break them down. "I feel Aberdeen were dogged and there was some desperate defending at times, but they did well and credit to them. "It goes to penalties and there's not much you can do about that. "It's tough but we'll bounce back." Aberdeen fans react to historic Scottish Cup win Scales was previously on loan at Pittodrie, and looked to be heading for the Parkhead exit door on his return. After missing out on a seventh piece of silverware with the Hoops he spoke with less emotion and more perspective. Scales, 26, said: "There's probably no point speaking with emotion because you say things you don't really mean. "You just have to take it on the chin, and that's the way we are as a team anyway. "The best way to deal with things is to bounce back and win. "It's the last game of the season, but it will kick us on for next year to be even better." There were always going to be changes to the squad in the summer, with a Champions League qualifier to negotiate on their return. Rodgers will now set about doing it all over again as he heads into the final year of his contract. Scales added: "He always wants to improve. "Since I arrived four years ago, it seems to keep getting better at every transfer window. "The competition is stronger, we have two or three players for every position on the pitch. "The Champions League is coming up and we need to qualify for that. 5 "If we do, we want to be strong going into it. "We're going to have to hit the ground running but we're used to that. "You go on holiday, but you're given programmes to keep ticking over. "We'll come back in fine shape. "I'll have a week off then a week away with the Republic of Ireland. "I'll have two-and-a-half or three weeks off after that." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scotsman
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Celtic avoid Scottish Cup final blame game as gracious response to Aberdeen trophy lift explained
Why Celtic players stayed on the pitch to watch Aberdeen lift the cup Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Magnanimous in victory. Gracious in defeat. That was how Celtic defender Liam Scales viewed the Scottish Cup final loss to Aberdeen that denied his side a treble. The Parkhead side have hoovered up plenty silverware in recent years - Scales himself has six winners medals since joining the club in 2021 and it could have been more but for a season on loan at Aberdeen while his captain Callum McGregor has collected 24 over the past decade. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Saturday's trophy was one that got away - Aberdeen lifting their first Scottish Cup in 35 years on penalties after a 1-1 draw - but the Republic of Ireland defender was able to keep his emotions in check and put the defeat in perspective. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers with defender Liam Scales after the Scottish Cup final defeat to Aberdeen at Hampden. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group) | SNS Group "There's probably no point speaking with emotion because you say things you don't really mean," he said. "You just have to take it on the chin. That's the way we are as a team. We've lost games before. The best way to deal with that is to bounce back and win the next week. I know it's the last game of the season but it'll kick us on for next year to go and be even better." Celtic players and staff seemed determined to make a point by staying on the pitch to watch Aberdeen lift the cup after Rangers left the field prior to their own League Cup final presentation in December. 'That's just how it is," Scales said. "I think that's the way you're brought up. Obviously if you lose a final you've got to have respect for the winning team. Aberdeen won and it was a fair and square. There were no bad decisions, nothing really went against us to tip the game. They won it fair. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It wouldn't bother me if we had won it and another team hadn't stayed out. But I think it's just the way we've all been brought up as a team. We've won a lot. If we don't win we still have to act respectfully and that was it. 'When you win you don't realise how long the wait is for the trophy lift. But obviously they spent time enjoying it with their fans. You're standing out there thinking this is going on forever and it's not a nice feeling. We won't want to have that happen again. It's football. You can't win every game. We try our best but it'll spur us on." Celtic players Liam Scales, Callum McGregor and Jeffrey Schlupp are dejected after losing the Scottish Cup final to Aberdeen. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group No blame on Celtic trio An uncharacteristic Celtic performance included an own goal gaffe from goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel while skipper McGregor and Alistair Johnston missed their penalties in the shoot-out. 'There's no blame on anyone, they know that," Scales added. "I wouldn't single them out at all. It's a team game and the team didn't perform to the levels that we needed to to win the game. That's it. Look, all the lads have been brilliant all season and they'll bounce back and be brilliant again next season. " Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scales also revealed the message Brendan Rodgers gave his dejected players in the Hampden dressing room afterwards.
STV News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Liam Scales: Celtic to return stronger next term after treble bid fails
Liam Scales insists Celtic will return stronger next season after their Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final defeat to Aberdeen on penalties ended dreams of a domestic treble. It looked like the Hoops would go on to complete a sixth clean sweep in nine years when they took the lead at Hampden Park on Saturday in the 39th minute through an Alfie Dorrington own goal. However, that advantage was cancelled out in the 83rd minute by a blunder from Hoops keeper Kasper Schmeichel, and the Pittodrie side went on to win on penalties with keeper Dimitar Mitov saving from Celtic skipper Callum McGregor and Alistair Johnston to take the cup back to the Granite City for the first time in 35 years. Defender Scales reflected on a league and League Cup double and a Champions League campaign which saw Celtic reach the knockout stages of the reformatted competition before being knocked out by German giants Bayern Munich and looked forward to next season. The 26-year-old said: 'We didn't hit the heights we wanted to and then the longer it went on, it could have gone either way and that's what happened with the penalties. 'But credit to Aberdeen, congratulations to them but we'll be back stronger next season. 'We probably didn't create as much as we wanted to, but we still had enough to win the game, but we didn't take our chances. 'Both goals were a bit scrappy with a bit of luck. 'It is disappointing but we know now what we have to do next year. It's not nice to see them lifting the cup. 'We are full of hunger and drive but when something like that happens it sort of kicks you up the backside and so I am looking forward to getting in next season and going again. 'I think everyone needs a rest and just recover over the summer. 'The next few days will probably be tough, but we had a good season overall. 'We came so close to winning the treble, a penalty shoot-out. 'Our league campaign was brilliant, our Champions League campaign was brilliant and we won the League Cup so there is a lot of positives to take. 'We dominated in the league, we showed in the Champions League more so than in previous years, we improved a lot so we are going in the right direction. 'It is tough because the last game of the season ends on a sour note but we will have a few days to sort of feel sorry for ourselves, enjoy our summer then get back in for next season.' It was an emotional afternoon for McGregor, who stepped up to take Celtic's first penalty and saw it saved by Mitov. The midfielder, who has won 24 major honours with Celtic, was in tears at the end and Scales believes that was a sign of the hunger and winning mentality of the former Scotland player, who described his penalty as 'the worst moment I have ever had in football'. The Republic of Ireland international said: 'He leads by example and he puts his heart on the line every week. 'He plays every game like it's his last and he was obviously disappointed he missed the penalty but we wouldn't put any blame on him at all. 'He was brave enough to step up and take the first one. 'He's a top player and it happens to everyone, it's football and he'll bounce back. 'That's just the way he is, he is non-stop, he just wants to win all the time and the reaction you've seen, that's why, he's just top class.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
