Celtic defeated St Mirren yesterday before a day of title-winning celebrations got underway at Parkhead in front of a delighted home support.
On the pitch, Matt O’Riley, Kyogo Furuhashi and Luis Palma capped a final day win for the Hoops, taking their end tally of points to 93, eight ahead of their rivals amid Philippe Clement’s side drawing at Heart of Midlothian.
Emotions ran high in the second half, as a magnificent tifo display from the Green Brigade beautifully crystallised Joe Hart’s farewell tour before he was taken off to rousing applause in Glasgow’s east end.
Eventually, Callum McGregor and Hart performed a joint trophy lift as Celtic signed off the Scottish Premiership season as champions for the 12th time in 13 seasons.
Brendan Rodgers’ collective have all contributed to his successful first campaign back north of the border, with the likes of Liam Scales breaking the mould to become a first-team starter despite being a peripheral figure last summer.
The Irishman has now made 44 appearances this season for Celtic, cementing his status as a regular, and has now opened up on a whirlwind year working under Rodgers [Transfermarkt].
Liam Scales discusses his breakthrough year at Celtic
Republic of Ireland international Scales came off the bench yesterday to feature alongside Maik Nawrocki in central defence; however, Cameron Carter-Vickers has been his main partner in crime this campaign.
Speaking live on Sky Sports Football after helping his side to defeat St Mirren, Scales opened up on the best year of his life at Celtic, which was met by a brilliant response from his positional counterpart.
Scales stated: “The consistency has been brilliant, just to be in the team constantly and performing, it’s what I needed and its when I’m at my best I suppose, when I’m playing regularly. It’s been the best year, the best season of my life and I’m buzzing.”
He then added on Carter-Vickers: “I love playing beside him! I’m learning a lot off him and hopefully there’s many more games to come together.”
Carter-Vickers followed up, lauding his teammate for his consistent availability this term, as he said: “(Scales has had a) very good season.
“He’s played the majority of the games. He’s performed well throughout the season and we’ve had our injury problems at centre-back and he’s kind of been the mainstay and he’s helped push the team through.”
Without the contribution of both players, Celtic wouldn’t be champions of Scotland for the third time in a row, and it is great to see the pairing have fostered an excellent relationship as part of Rodgers’ rearguard.
Come the summer, there may be some surgery carried out in their area of the field; nevertheless, expect both to continue being key players at Parkhead.