Celtic were impressed by Liam Scales’ performance in the Champions League qualifiers and could seal a deal for the Shamrock Rovers starlet later this week, as reported by Extra Sport.
Like Celtic, Shamrock Rovers saw their Champions League hopes go up in smoke in the blink of an eye last month.
A 3-2 aggregate defeat to Slovan Bratislava in July made sure of that.
But out of adversity comes an opportunity; Scales shone in both legs against the Slovakian giants. And a pair of eye-catching performances could see the highly-rated Republic of Ireland U21 international get his big break across the sea.
Will Liam Scales become Postecoglou’s next Celtic signing?
According to Extra Sport, Celtic’s scouts liked what they saw from Scales in Bratislava.
The versatile 22-year-old is expected to become Ange Postecoglou’s fifth summer signing in a deal worth around £500,000 too – a fee that will see him become the most expensive export in the history of the League of Ireland.
It is understood that Scales could be unveiled at Parkhead this week too, with his his farewell appearance coming during Thursday’s UEFA Conference League qualifier against Albanian outfit KF Teuta Durres.
Standing at 6ft 4ins, Scales is centre-half by trade but excelled in a left-wing back role over 180 minutes against Slovan Bratislava.
He has also featured in defensive midfield on occasions, scoring twice and providing a further three assists as Shamrock Rovers stormed to the League of Ireland title last season.
It remains to be seen what sort of a role Scales will play under the forward-thinking, Dutch-influenced Ange Postecoglou at Celtic.
He could, in theory, offer cover for Carl Starfelt and Stephan Welsh at centre-half while battling the hard-working but limited Greg Taylor for a place on the left-hand side.
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