Liam Scales (born 8 August 1998) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or a left-back for club Celtic and the Republic of Ireland national team.
Personal life Born in Wicklow, Scales is from Barndarrig, County Wicklow. His father is from London. He studied Irish and geography at University College Dublin. He is a fluent Irish speaker. Scales is close friends with fellow professional footballer Daire O'Connor, with the pair growing up together since the age of 5 and playing together at UCD, before Scales was O'Connor's best man at his wedding.
Club career Early career Scales began his career with Arklow Town before signing for UCD in 2015. He made his League of Ireland debut on 8 July 2016 and made over 100 appearances for the club, winning the Collingwood Cup as well as the League of Ireland First Division title in 2018. He was described as "a key player for UCD as they won the First Division title". Scales was voted by his fellow League of Ireland First Division players into the PFAI First Division Team of the Year for 2018.
In 2019 he underwent trials at English clubs Manchester City and Bristol Rovers, with him seeming to be set to sign for the latter before the deal fell through.
Shamrock Rovers He moved to Shamrock Rovers for the 2020 season, and "played a significant part in their league success". He also made seven appearances for the club in European competitions, scoring once, and getting sent off on his European debut. In July 2021 he was described as "the hottest property in the League of Ireland" and linked with a transfer away from the club. On 26 November 2021, he was named in the PFAI Team of the Year for 2021, as voted by his fellow players.
Celtic After 51 appearances for Shamrock Rovers, Scales signed a four-year contract with Scottish club Celtic in August 2021. On 23 September 2021, he made his debut for Celtic in a 3–0 win over Raith Rovers in the Scottish League Cup at Celtic Park. Scales made his league debut on 5 December 2021, coming on as a substitute to score the third goal in Celtic's 3–0 away win at Dundee United. On 24 February 2022, Scales started in a 2–0 away defeat against Eliteserien side Bodø/Glimt in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Aberdeen (loan) Scales went to Aberdeen for a season-long loan in June 2022. This transfer caused controversy amongst a section of the Aberdeen support, who launched criticism at their board for continuing to sign players on loan from Celtic. Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin defended his signature, with him stating that: "I'm a big fan of the loan market as it gives you the opportunity to sign players that you would maybe not normally be able to afford. The size of club we are we want to be signing players on permanent contracts. That conversation was had with Celtic initially. We wanted to know what the number was and could we make it happen. Celtic are not willing to sell Liam at this moment".
On 10 July 2022, Scales made his Aberdeen debut in a 2–0 Scottish League Cup win at Peterhead. On 17 September 2022, Scales was sent off in 3–1 defeat at Hibernian after he was shown a second yellow card by referee David Dickinson. Four months later he was shown red again in a 6–0 loss against the same opposition, a result that saw manager Jim Goodwin removed from his position shortly after the match. Scales first goal for Aberdeen was in a 2–0 win over Rangers.
Return to Celtic
Scales was linked with a return to Aberdeen ahead of the 2023–24 season, but became a Celtic first-team player following injuries to other players. He became a regular player for Celtic following his return to the club in the 2023–24 season, and signed a new four-year contract in May 2024. He was named in the 2023–24 PFA Scotland Scottish Premiership Team of the Year for his performances throughout the season. He scored 3 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions in the 2024–25 seasonhttps://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=100193&season_id=157 as his side won the Scottish League Cup and retained their Scottish Premiership title for the fourth year in a row.
International career Scales was a Republic of Ireland under-21 international, winning six caps.
He was called up to the Republic of Ireland senior team for the first time on 3 September 2021 alongside Alan Browne and Callum Robinson for the games against Azerbaijan and Serbia, with the trio replacing the injured Dara O'Shea, Nathan Collins and Shane Long. On 19 September 2022, Scales was called up again for UEFA Nations League group matches against Scotland and Armenia after Andrew Omobamidele was ruled out due a groin injury.
He was recalled by Ireland in October 2023. On 13 October 2023, he made his senior international debut for the Republic of Ireland in a 2–0 defeat at against Greece at the Aviva Stadium.
Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny revealed on 7 November 2023 that Scales would be called up again as part of the squad to play against The Netherlands and New Zealand.
On 10 October 2024, Scales scored his first goal for the Republic of Ireland, an equalising header against Finland, in a match that ended in a 2–1 win to the Republic of Ireland.
On 16 November 2025, Scales provided the headed assist for the third Republic of Ireland goal against Hungary, which was scored by Troy Parrott in second-half added time. The match ended in a 3–2 win to the Republic of Ireland and they advanced to the playoff stage of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsUCD2016LOI First Division1322100—001532017LOI First Division2411010—202812018LOI First Division2633020—003132019LOI Premier Division3012020—20361Total937815000401108Shamrock Rovers2020LOI Premier Division16030—10—2002021LOI Premier Division23210—6111314Total39240007111514Shamrock Rovers II2020LOI First Division11————11Celtic2021–22Scottish Premiership51212040—1322022–23Scottish Premiership00————002023–24Scottish Premiership341500060—4512024–25Scottish Premiership262403061—3932025–26Scottish Premiership3704041111—5622026–27Scottish Premiership51002020—91Total1075151111292001629Aberdeen (loan)2022–23Scottish Premiership3111070——391Career total271162922313635136323
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsRepublic of Ireland202330202461202540202660Total191
Scores and results list the Republic of Ireland's goal tally first.
+ List of international goals scored by Liam Scales No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 10 October 2024 Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland 1–1 2–1 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B
Honours UCD League of Ireland First Division: 2018 Collingwood Cup: 2018
Shamrock Rovers League of Ireland Premier Division: 2020 2021
Celtic Scottish Premiership: 2021–22, 2023–24, 2024–25, 2025–26 Scottish League Cup: 2021–22, 2024–25 Scottish Cup: 2023–24
Individual PFAI First Division Team of the Year: 2018 PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year: 2021 PFA Scotland Team of the Year: 2023–24 Premiership
References
External links