Liam Scales spoke to the media at Lennoxtown yesterday afternoon after news broke that the Irish defender had committed himself to Celtic for the next four seasons by signing his new contract extension. Here’s what was said in his media conference…
Congratulations on the new contract. Can you tell us how you feel?
Liam Scales: “I’m just delighted to get it done. I’ve wanted it and it has happened now. I am happy that it is done and it is now on the back burner and I want to just focus on the games coming up.”
Has this been something that has been worked on in the background and how much have you been aware of this ongoing process?
It’s been ongoing but obviously, it has to be right for everyone and that’s when it can get a bit sticky and take time. I’d rather it take time than be rushed. It goes on in the background and my agent deals with it. You try and keep it out of your mind but it is always there in the back of your head and it is good to get it done.
Reflecting on your season. How would you say it has gone so far as you look towards the culmination?
Liam Scales: “I think it has gone well for me. At the start of the season, I did not picture myself in this position. It has gone well. It could have been better in terms of certain performances and certain things. I feel I could have done better over the year but as a whole, it’s been successful for me.”
Do you feel as if you’ve grown as a player and as a person within the year and how much growth is in you? How many gears have you got to go up? How much potential is still there in the next four years you’ll be wearing the Celtic colours?
Liam Scales: “There is definite room for improvement. It’s been massive for me. It is the first season I have played at this intensity and played regularly. In my first season here I played a few games here and there. Playing regularly at this intensity and level, I feel that it has improved me hugely as a player. Hopefully, if I continue to play at this level, I can keep improving. It’s hard to know where the ceiling is.”
What is the biggest thing you’ve learned about yourself and playing at this level?
Liam Scales: “I think it is that I am capable. You don’t really know until you are thrown into situations which are either make or break. Just knowing that I am capable of doing it is a good thing.”
It is a long-term deal. How satisfying is it that you will be playing football for this club for another four years and what does it mean to you? How far away was that from your mind? You have spoken about possibly leaving the club in the summer. Could you have imagined nine months later that you will have had all these experiences under your belt and have signed a four-year deal?
Liam Scales: “It’s sort of different to how I thought it would have panned out. At that time at the start of the season, I was just looking to play regular football. I wanted to see if I could get that here. That’s where my head was at but I thought I might have to look elsewhere. I wasn’t really thinking that I would be in this position. It’s brilliant, it’s really good.”
You talk about the mentality that you had and you wanted to play football. Now with this contract going forward is your aim to cement that position at left-sided centre-half and for it to be yours long-term as it has been yours for the majority of the season? Is that the aim for years to come?
Liam Scales: “Yes. One hundred per cent. I’ve done well this season but I don’t want to just sit on that. I want to be the long-term centre-half in the team and I think everyone here would want that for themselves. That’s the sort of competition you face. Everyone is in the same boat and they want that position. I know I need to continue to improve and perform at a high standard to hopefully, keep that shirt.”
