Liam Scales ready to get thrown in at the deep end for Celtic
The defender has joined from Shamrock Rovers
Last updated 10th Sep 2021
Liam Scales insists he is ready to be thrown in at the deep end at Celtic as he targets a quick breakthrough into the starting eleven.
The 23-year-old defender acknowledges he's taking a big step up from the League of Ireland after sealing a move from champions Shamrock Rovers at the end of the transfer window.
However, Scales hopes his experiences for a winning side can help him settle into life at his new club quickly.
He said: "I'm going to work as hard as I can in training and try my best to break into the team. As a player, you want to get in as soon as you can but if the manager thinks that I need time to get up to speed, that's fair enough.
"But I'm young and eager and I've always been the sort of player who wants to get thrown in at the deep end to see how I fare.
"It could work either way because it is up a level from where I've come from but I do feel like I have what it takes. I know that the pressure is on straight away at a club like Celtic.
"There isn't much time to be easing yourself in slowly. I'm well aware what's required and I'm looking forward to giving it a shot. We've got a busy month coming up and it's a great feeling to be able to look forward to games.''
Scales says it has been a whirlwind month after sealing his move to Celtic and earning his first senior Republic of Ireland call-up in a short space of time.
He sat on the bench for Stephen Kenny's side during their 1-1 draw at home to Serbia on Tuesday.
Reflecting on his rise, he said: "We won the league at Shamrock Rovers last year and we're top of the league this year so because I was in the team every week, doing well, it was in the back of mind that I could take a step up to the next level.
"It was about waiting until the right move came up but when this came about, it was a no-brainer.
"The transfer was first mentioned to me in the first week of August. The plan was that I'd play a few more games with Shamrock Rovers until the European games were over and then I'd be moving after that but it went on a little bit longer than I originally thought before I made the move in the last week of August.
"It was a mad week, signing for Celtic and then getting my first international call-up. It's been mental but hopefully they complement each other.
"This move to Celtic is a step up from Shamrock Rovers so if I can get myself into the team and play here, I'm sure it will put me in the window for more international call-ups.''