What Brentford Centre-back ‘Always’ Knew About Celtic’s Liam Scales

Brentford centre-back Nathan Collins always knew how good his fellow Irishman Liam Scales was.

Collins, who enjoyed stints at Stoke City, Burnley, and Wolves before joining the Bees for £23m [Sky Sports] in the summer of 2023, has watched the Celtic defender since he was an early teenager.

Indeed, Collins has always been impressed by the 26-year-old, who is now an established member of Celtic’s first team.

Speaking back in Ireland amid the current international break, Collins praised his defensive colleague: “I‘ve watched Scalesy play since I was 14,” he said (RecordSport).

“He played centre-back at UCD (University College Dublin) with my brother, so I’ve always seen how good he was. He was aggressive, good on the ball, and his hair, you’ll always remember that!

“Going through the League of Ireland and getting the move to Celtic, he’s always had the qualities of a top player, so it’s no surprise to me.

“He’s been very patient, and it’s a credit to himself how nice a fella he is. He really deserves this and has been taking it by the scruff of the neck.”

Scales and Collins partnered up last night as Ireland beat Finland 1-0 in Dublin.

A victory, clean sheet, and three Nations League B Group 2 points made for a productive evening for Heimir Halgrimsson’s side.

Scales played the full 90 minutes at left centre-half, with his former Celtic teaMMAte Mikey Johnston, now at West Bromwich Albion, setting up the eventual winner.

After some neat footwork out wide, Johnston’s cross met the head of Brighton’s Evan Ferguson, who nodded home from close range.

Ireland’s attention now turns to Sunday. Scales and Co. Travel to Wembley at the weekend looking to avenge a 2-0 defeat the English iNFLicted on them back at the beginning of September.

Celtic fans will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on proceedings.