Scottish Premiership manager Jim Goodwin is ‘confident’ that Celtic will not recall Liam Scales from his loan in the January transfer window.
The Lowdown: Impressing at Aberdeen
Since being loaned out to Aberdeen in the summer, the 24-year-old has played in third place in the Premiership table behind leaders Celtic and the Hoops’ Glasgow arch-rivals in second.
After receiving a call-up to the recent Republic of Ireland squad to face Norway in a friendly on Thursday, Aberdeen boss Goodwin commended Scales as being ‘outstanding’ so far this season.
The Latest: No Celtic recall?
As quoted by The Press and Journal, Goodwin revealed that Aberdeen’s director of football Steven Gunn has been ‘in contact’ with Celtic over Scales, adding that the Dons are ‘confident’ that the Irishman will not be recalled and will be able to stay with them beyond January.
Goodwin said: “Steven Gunn has been in contact with Liverpool about Leighton Clarkson and with Celtic about Liam Scales.
“At the moment we are confident that both will be part of our plans when the January window closes. However, we do have contingency plans in place just in case something were to happen.”
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The Verdict: Needs to continue his development
Given how well Scales has performed this term, it may be tempting for Ange Postecoglou to recall him back into his first-team squad.
However, the Celtic boss should allow the defender to continue his development at Aberdeen and come back a stronger player at the end of the campaign.
The Parkhead outfit already have four senior centre-backs to call upon in their squad, so Scales would struggle to get as much game-time should he return to his parent club.
Nonetheless, it is good to see the progress that he is making at Pittodrie, and there could well be a spot for him in the Celtic squad for next season if he maintains his performance levels.