Celtic defender Liam Scales has risen to prominence this campaign after being a surprise chance in the first-team.
In the summer, rumours swirled regarding a potential return to Aberdeen for the Republic of Ireland international, though Brendan Rodgers wasn’t keen to offload his compatriot upon his return to Parkhead.
Since remaining in Glasgow, Scales has featured 39 times for Celtic in all competitions this campaign, registering one goal and three assists [Transfermarkt].
According to reports, talks are in motion over a contract extension for the 25-year-old at Parkhead; however, an agreement has yet to be reached between both parties, with his current deal running until the summer of 2025.
For now, any talk over his future is likely to take a back seat as the former Shamrock Rovers defender eyes a Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup double to cap off his successful season from a personal standpoint.
This weekend, the Bhoys travel to Dundee in the first instalment of five post-split fixtures, knowing there is little margin for error amid the potential of title glory.
Within that, Celtic face Rangers on May 11th in a powderkeg Glasgow Derby, which will command the lion’s share of attention over the next few weeks.
Liam Scales previews Celtic’s upcoming Glasgow Derby
Scales has yet to taste defeat against Rangers in three encounters this term; however, he isn’t overly concerned about facing Philippe Clement’s outfit next month.
Speaking to The Scottish Sun, the Irishman warned that there are four other sides in the top six of the Scottish Premiership who provide equally difficult to navigate past in the run-in.
He explained: “That is 100 per cent the case. It’s not just about that game.
“All of these teams are in the top six for a reason. They are the better sides in the league and generally in form. Every game is going to be really tough.
We have a difficult match in Dundee this weekend, and we are not looking past that. It’s our next game, and if we don’t win the two games before we play Rangers, it won’t matter what we do in that one.
“That’s what we are really focused on.”
Celtic know what they need to do in the next few weeks to become champions; however, they have to improve on their defensive exploits shown against Aberdeen last weekend, where there was a sense of vulnerability within Rodgers’ backline.
Either way, Scales and company will take nothing for granted as they plot a successful end to the campaign, which can only bode well regarding our prospects of claiming silverware.