3 days Ago By [email protected] (Craig Swan)
Liam Scales says stingy Celtic want to set a record that won’t be beaten. And the Irishman believes added experience can help transfer domestic solidity on to the biggest stage of the Champions League. Brendan Rodgers’ in-form team are scoring goals, but also equalled a 118-year record with their weekend clean sheet against Hearts.
For the first time since season 1906/07, the Parkhead side have won their first five league matches without once conceding. Scales is proud to have played his part, but he and his colleagues are nowhere near satisfied. They want to extend it and set a new mark which will be out of reach for others in the future.
Scales said: “The manager mentioned before the game that we were on the brink of breaking it with another clean sheet. “I’m happy we managed to get that, but now it’s about, hopefully, pushing on and getting more and setting a record that won’t be beaten. That’s the way we need to look at it because if you keep a clean sheet, the minimum you’re going to get out of a game is a draw.
So for us, to keep doing that would be brilliant. “It’s just been a really good start to the season. We’re really looking forward to Wednesday night and we just want to bring our form into that game.
We really haven’t put a foot wrong, I don’t think. It’s just been fluid and it’s good to get back after the international break, get back together and get a result like that leading into a big game on Wednesday.” Celtic’s clean sheet might have been in jeopardy had Scales not survived a handball shout against Hearts.
Referee Colin Steven awarded a spot-kick when Lawrence Shankland’s header hit the centre-back, but changed his decision after being called to the monitor by VAR. Scales said: “I knew it hit me on the arm, but I felt like it was harsh. It was so close to me.
I’m glad that they overruled it. I think the referee took into account how close the header was to me.” Now the Champions League provides the acid test and Scales reckons he is better equipped to handle it after his first experience of the competition last term as he played all six games of the group stages.
It was a steep learning curve as Celtic conceded 15 goals in six outings as they were exposed to the cut-throat and relentless nature of the elite-level examinations. Scales feels lessons have been learned. He said: “I think now we have a bit more experience in those games and how ruthless European teams can be.
I’m not saying it will be any easier, it’s just you know what’s coming, you know what sort of games you’re going into, you know what the atmosphere is going to be like and the speed of the game. It’s good and I’m not the only one – there are other players who last year would have been having their first experience. “Even the guys who have been there two or three years in a row, getting those six games last season, they have more experience for it now as well.
It’s a different challenge. Sometimes in the league teams can sit deep and you have to spend a lot of the game to work them and break them down. “But in Europe they come out and come at you a bit more.
But two weeks ago against Rangers, we showed that when we’re being pressed we can stay calm and cut teams open, and over the last few weeks we’ve shown that we can find ways to break the low block down. We just need to see what comes our way and I’m sure we’ll do a lot of analysis to see what way they’re going to come at us.” Scales’ fine form has meant that, as yet, £6million signing Auston Trusty has yet to get a minute of action since his arrival from Sheffield United.
The Irishman is relishing the scrap for spots in the Celtic side. He said: “The competition all over the pitch here is second to none. There’s two or three players for each position, so it’s nothing out of the ordinary.
“I just have to keep doing what I’m doing and, hopefully, stay in the team. That’s the way it is. It’s good, it keeps everyone on their toes and I’m happy with it.
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