Rodgers is keen to see the Irishman rewarded after coming in from the fringes to become a key man.
Brendan Rodgers believes Liam Scales is moving into line for a new deal at Celtic.
The defender has been a huge contributor for the boss this term with a series of superb displays since stepping into the side. Scales has started the last 15 successive Celtic games with his performances also earning him a senior debut for the Republic of Ireland. The 25-year-old signed a four-year deal when arriving from Shamrock Rovers in August 2021.
But Rodgers admits Scales is heading in the right direction to join team-mates in earning a fresh contract extension. Stars such as Callum McGregor, Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate, Matt O’Riley, Liel Abada and Anthony Ralston have signed new deals since the manager’s return and the Irish defender may be next in line. Rodgers assessed the Scales situation and said: “I think it’s something that I’m sure the club and his representative will look at.
“It doesn’t sit with me so well when players are going down to the final stages of their contracts. I think you only need to look at the fact that I’ve chosen him to play very consistently in games. There are also players back now fit that are pushing him but he’s still performing to a high level. As I said to him, it’s about consistency. Keep showing that you can be consistent and stay focused. But there’s no doubt that he’s stepped in and done really well.”
Scales was down the pecking order to partner Cameron Carter-Vickers at the beginning of the season. Celtic also paid out to land Pole Maik Nawrocki and Swede Gustaf Lagerbielke to join Stephen Welsh in the battle to join the American in the side after the sale of Carl Starfelt to Celta Vigo.
Aberdeen wanted to take Scales back to Pittodrie after a successful loan spell last season, but Scales stayed and has grasped his big opportunity with both hands after injuries hit Rodgers’ squad and opened the door for his Parkhead breakthrough. Rodgers acknowledges the turnaround and said: “I needed to see him play. I hadn’t seen a lot of Liam and that’s the honest story on that.
“I think when I came in. What he recognised is that getting towards 25, he wants to play. He’d had a season when he’d been playing. When you are at that age you want to be playing games really.
“So when he came back to here, I said to him: Let’s wait and see. There are others here who are in front of you, but let’s wait and see. He’s a really bright guy. Our conversations were open. Barry (Robson) was obviously keen to take him back and I can see why as he’s a fantastic player.
“I’d spoken to Liam Scales in line for new Celtic deal as dwindling contract ‘doesn’t sit well’ with Brendan Rodgers
Rodgers is keen to see the Irishman rewarded after coming in from the fringes to become a key man
