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Liam Scales reached the top of the Champions League when he was in-form in Celtic’s win over Feyenoord.
But the modest Irishman praised fellow heroes Stephen Welsh and Gustaf Lagerbielke after they enjoyed their own moments of glory at the European Championship. Scales put in a very good performance against the Dutch as his team ended the club’s 10-year wait for a home win in the organization phase. The defender’s contribution sums up a progression that has seen him start all six Group E games.
Scales’ astonishing rise was crowned with the MOM Award and he said, “It’s the pinnacle of my crusade to get the win, but I wouldn’t say it’s my peak overall. Listen, I just have to not be complacent, keep doing what I do. “I’ve been doing it. Of the six games we’ve had in tough phases, we’ve played with nine men and 10 men in games. I had to dig deeper and receive information on how to get to that level.
“I feel like (Wednesday) was the most important point for me. I’m pleased that I was able to help the team, but it’s a great personal achievement to have that in the lockers. I just want to stay hungry. I guess it’s a cliché, but I have to make sure I don’t fall into complacency and keep playing as many games as possible.
Scales was quick to share out his credit to colleagues with Welsh making a superb return after a four-month injury lay-off as he impressively deputised for Cameron Carter-Vickers. When his race was run, Lagerbielke took his place in the backline and ventured forward to head a last-gasp winner.
Scales praised both men, saying, “The intensity of the team is unbelievable. Welshy came on and was brilliant for 75 minutes. It’s obvious that he hasn’t played much football, he’s just returned from injury. Spending 75 minutes with that intensity A wonderful achievement for him. It’s top notch.
“Then Gus comes in and wins. He had to be patient to get minutes, so I’m really happy that he came in and won the game. I don’t think I would have deserved more. “
Wth the trio all playing key roles, Celtic were able to soak up the feelgood of a Champions League win at the 16th time of asking overall. Qualification may have been out of the question, but the importance was still evident to the squad.
Scales said: “On paper it didn’t mean much, but for us it meant a lot. We desperately needed to win this crusade and it’s wonderful that we did. We’ve been smart during some periods of the crusade, but not smart enough to win games. To get this win is incredible. I think we’ve earned it. We were smart in the first half, we took the game to them and when we had to protect in the second half, we did.
“To concede a late goal and then come back and score in the last few minutes was brilliant and showed wonderful character. We are all delighted.
Celtic’s youngsters can rely on this good fortune, as Scales continues: “Obviously, we have to win the league. That’s huge. We want to be in the Champions League every year, but we have to win the league to get there. I hope we do. If we can do that, we will certainly have confidence with this win. It’s just wonderful to win a game, especially at home. I feel like all of our performances at home have been pretty good. Outside, we were disappointed. We want to be informed about this and I am sure we will.
After this Euro summit, Scales will meet with the rest of the team and aim to do business at the national level. The 25-year-old will continue to try to progress further with his prize on the board.
It was hard to believe Scales was in that position when thinking about moving to Aberdeen last summer and agreed: “I didn’t know where I was going to be or what I was going to do. I never planned this. I was looking for what my next move would be and if there would be a move. I’m excited about the result.
“I got a bit of luck with injuries. But it has been brilliant. I wouldn’t say it’s a turnaround, I don’t think I was going in the wrong direction in the first place. But it has kicked on now. I always felt if I got a chance to play consistently here I could do well. It was just about getting that chance.
“With the quality of the team, it’s going to be tough. I’m glad I did. It’s been wonderful that it’s been like this since I arrived. I just want to keep betting like I did and be hungry. We want to win trophies I haven’t completed much here.
“In the first season I was here we won the League Cup and the Premiership, but I didn’t play much. Last season, on loan, I missed a successful season. I need to have this to myself.