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I've watched Liam Scales since he was 14 and there's one thing that's always stood out about Celtic star
Life's easier when you play beside Liam Scales - especially when you've known his game since he was 14 years old.
That's the view of Ireland skipper Nathan Collins who has struck up a fruitful international partnership with the Celtic star. Scales is battling with Auston Trusty for his place at Parkhead but appears to have nailed down a spot alongside Collins for his country ahead of their upcoming Nations League clashes with Finland and England. He played every minute of the last international break and scored against the Finns in a 2-1 win in Helsinki, impressing new boss Heimir Hallgrimsson in the process.
He and Brentford stopper Collins are the go-to men and it's been a partnership years in the making. 12 years, to be precise, as Collins remembers watching Scales play with his older brother at schoolboy level. And as much as his command of the back line stuck out from day one, it's something else he remembers most about his current partner in crime.
“I‘ve watched Scalesy play since I was 14," Collins said. "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.
“I know he’s there, I know I can give him the ball and I know he’ll win his headers. It makes my life easier when someone like that is playing beside me.”
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