Celtic could strengthen their defence this window as Brendan Rodgers aims to build on a solid first campaign back at Parkhead.
The Bhoys have returned for pre-season and there is excitement over potential arrivals. However, with fresh faces comes competition as individuals look to impress the manager week after week.
Liam Scales enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2023/24, featuring 45 times as Celtic went on to claim a domestic double with Rodgers at the helm.
Now a mainstay in the Republic of Ireland squad, his exploits have rubbed off on Scottish Premiership counterpart Gavin Molloy.
He has taken inspiration from Scales’ path to international honours, accentuated by a productive loan spell at Aberdeen. Molloy has recently joined the Dons from Shelbourne and hoped to follow his compatriot’s lead.
Away from that, there is a possibility that new bodies could arrive to strengthen the Celtic rearguard.
The defensive domino effect that could unfold at Celtic
Last season, Scales saw off competition from Maik Nawrocki, Gustaf Lagerbielke and Stephen Welsh for the majority of the campaign, albeit there were mitigating circumstances due to injuries across the board.
Leaning into this summer, Lagerbielke has admitted he would be open to a new challenge amid interest from Serie A outfit Lecce.
On the other hand, Nawrocki has courted attention from former club Legia Warsaw, though he is keen to fight for his place at Parkhead. Regardless, if one or two defensive bodies were to slim down the squad, there could be room for reinforcements to arrive.
Salernitana’s Flavius Daniliuc and Burnley’s Dara O’Shea are both names that have been mentioned in connection with Celtic this summer. Should either come in, where would that leave Scales in the pecking order?
Not even the most optimistic Hoops fan could’ve predicted the Irishman’s rise to prominence over the past year; he has already risen to the challenge and is clearly admired by Rodgers; nevertheless, it would be interesting to know whether the plan is to keep him as a first-choice next term.
Availability is the most decisive quantity in football. Regardless of who he was partnered with in 2023/24, Scales was ready to perform. With pre-season now underway, his place in the side is an intriguing topic of discussion.
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