Liam Scales, born in Ireland on 8 August 1998 (age 27), is a Republic of Ireland central defender with Celtic, where he wears the number 5. He joined the club from Shamrock Rovers in August 2021 after establishing himself in Dublin, with his 2021 league season – 23 appearances and two goals – still his most productive in front of goal.
His early Celtic years were not a straight line into the side. A loan spell away from the club gave him regular football and helped sharpen the parts of his game that matter most at centre-half: reliability, positioning and the ability to live with pressure rather than look busy beside it.
Scales has since become a continuing first-team presence at Celtic rather than a squad name on the margins. He won the Premiership in 2021/2022 and 2024/2025, along with two League Cups and a Scottish Cup, and remains involved in 2025/2026. This season he has made 52 appearances across all competitions for Celtic, including 37 in the league and nine in the Europa League, where he has scored once.
He has also stayed in the Republic of Ireland picture, making three World Cup qualifying appearances this season. His current market value is around £4.5m, according to Transfermarkt.
Scales’ career has moved from Shamrock Rovers promise to Celtic usefulness, with a developmental spell away from the club proving important on the way. He is now an established member of the squad, still playing regularly and still relevant in the current side.
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