Inside Celtic inquest as Liam Scales parks PFA pride in search of bigger prizes now within touching distance

It was a major thrill for Liam Scales to get the backing of his rivals to seal a slot in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year.

But the defender warned the Celtic backline will need to tighten up if he’s also going to be part of a Double winning side this season. The Irishman is gearing up for an incredible end to a remarkable campaign that has gone from uncertainty he’d be at the club to being one of the first names on Brendan Rodgers’s teams heet.

Scales won over his manager and opposition players with his displays this term, despite having to deal with some doubters among the Hoops support. The PFA accolade is another sign of his rapid rise at Parkhead but the 25-year-old insisted it’s the team prizes that are driving him on. Scales knows Celts are in a strong position in the Premiership with a three point lead over Rangers going into the last five games.

And they have a date with destiny at Hampden again after setting up an Old Firm Final on May 25 following Saturday’s head-spinning shoot-out win against Aberdeen. The centre back is happy to pause for breath – but he insisted this is no time to be reflecting on personal awards.

Scales said: “I am delighted. I feel this has been a bit of a breakthrough year so to get named by other players means a lot to me. I am proud of that. But the focus is on the rest of the season because it’s far from over and there’s so much to play for.

“This is where we want to be, 100 percent. We are in the driving seat but you look at that game against Aberdeen on Saturday. It was mental, and it just shows that anything can happen. We need to be professional and on top of our game for these last five league matches and the Cup Final.”

Scales is well aware Celtic cannot afford too many