Liam Scales has taken a significant step forward in his recovery as the Celtic defender returned to training on Friday, raising hopes he could soon be back in Brendan Rodgers’ matchday squad.
Scales has been absent for three fixtures—the Scottish Cup quarter-final against Hibernian, the derby clash with Rangers, and the win over Hearts—after sustaining a cheekbone injury that at one stage looked like it might require surgery.
Rodgers had offered an optimistic update earlier in the week, suggesting the Republic of Ireland international was closing in on a return to fitness.
“We’ve got Liam Scales back now,” Rodgers said earlier this week. “He won’t be ready for this weekend, but he’s back in training and in contact with the team. We expect him to be available leading into the Kilmarnock game. We’re starting to get players back and have a really strong squad again.”
That timeline now looks accurate as Scales was pictured with the squad at Lennoxtown on Friday, back on the pitch and involved in team activity—good news for Celtic heading into the business end of the season.
📸 #STJCEL | #CelticFC🍀 https://t.co/j3WTXDdR2D pic.twitter.com/m5oTwGkuzX
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) April 4, 2025
In his absence, Maik Nawrocki has deputised effectively, starting and performing well in the last two games, and has gone ahead of Auston Trusty in the pecking order. The Polish defender, who had been sidelined for much of the campaign, will hope he’s done enough to retain his spot when Celtic head to Perth this weekend to take on St Johnstone.
With defensive reinforcements returning and competition for places heating up, Rodgers now finds himself with more options and depth—just in time for a pivotal stretch in Celtic’s season.
